Team India’s domination in the ODI series vs New Zealand would have given them a lot of confidence in this World Cup year. Many things went right for the hosts in the fifty-over format and they would love to take the winning momentum to T20Is.
In this T20 series, India’s objective should be to figure out who our top batters are going to be looking ahead to the next T20 World Cup. Also, it is of utmost importance to give opportunities to new players in shorter formats to see what positions they are best sui ted for. In terms of their bowling attack, the likes of Arshdeep Singh have already established themselves but we still need to underline our next lot of fast bowlers and make sure they are ready for the World Cup.
A great talent pool to pick from
Talking about India’s batting unit, we are blessed to have a great pool of players to pick from. There is an abundance of talent out there but as I stated earlier, it is important to figure out, over a period of time, our batting options and the roles. That is why a series like this – when you have a young squad – is a great time to give all the players the opportunity to gain some experience so that they understand their roles quickly. IPL does give these youngsters a great platform to learn and grow but it is really the international exposure that gives you the confidence for tournaments like World Cup.
Time for Subman Gill to rise and shine as a T20 opener
Shubman Gill has been batting really well. Having watched him from close quarters, one thing that has always stood out for me is the gift of extra time he has as a batter. He appears to have that one extra fraction of a second before making the decision to play the shot. Additionally, he has a variety of shots in his game which is important in shorter formats. He has good strength and power as well and is a great timer of the ball. Also, he plays the short ball well and has a good pull shot against the back of the length deliveries. Against Shubman, as a fast bowler, you need to be hitting the good length area consistently. If you will make the mistake, he will more often than not punish the loose deliveries.
Not just the fast bowling, Shubman can play spin well too and uses his crease really well. Overall, he is a very good ODI player and has done really well in red-ball too. There is no doubt in my mind that he will continue to perform for the country in the years to come.
However, when it comes to T20s, he is still figuring out his ideal game. There are many options available for India looking at the T20 squad. It will be important for Shubman to establish himself, and try and score at the right pace in this series. If he opens the innings, he needs to ensure that his strike rate is more than 140 and 150 which is the demand of this shorter format now. We need an opener who can strike at 140 or more. I am sure Shubman can do that and if he plays, he will take that attacking option and give that quick start in the first 6 overs.
Kuldeep Yadav is a much-improved bowler
I like how Kuldeep Yadav is bowling these days. He has improved his bowling a lot. There was never a doubt about his talent but he has ensured that he kept learning. One thing he has improved is his pace. I think he is a lot quicker in the air now which has made all the difference. Also, he has lot more control in his bowling than earlier. He is much more confident and having played all the formats of this game, that experience really helped him make a solid comeback. He has grown as a player and bowler and I am sure he will continue to do well in all formats of the game.
New Zealand is a dangerous T20 side. They have many options and are always very well prepared. While we have a formidable batting and bowling attack, I would like the team to specifically focus sharpening our fielding department. We have improved our fielding significantly and are a good fielding side but the shorter formats demand that extra bit of agility in the field. If we can outdo New Zealand in this series in fielding, it can have a massive impact on the results eventually. Ground fielding has already become very crucial in T20Is and everyone in the team needs to step up and look to do something special on the field. Many of our young players are physically very fit and they are good fielders too, yet I feel it is one area we can look to improve in and get better. These are the small margins that often make the difference.
