Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has criticised the team management for not handling the rookie bowlers in a proper way amid the T20I series against the West Indies. The visitors registered a 24-run win in Hyderabad on Wednesday to level the series 2-2.
Kaif highlighted that India’s overdependence on gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been palpable. Furthermore, the former UP batter said the team’s think tank is not giving consistent chances to the greenhorn bowlers.
India has been making ample changes to their playing combination and have preferred batting all-rounders ahead of specialist bowlers.
“There is overdependence on Bumrah. So many bowlers are just coming in and going out. This trend has to change. You cannot build a team by trying and dropping bowlers regularly. Gill and Shreyas are both facing problems with bowling, as everyone is getting the Indian cap. This is a wrong trend. If someone is getting a chance, then back them. Fast bowlers are being fast-tracked so much that you are not able to find experienced bowlers. If you are picking someone, you need to show patience,” Kaif said in a video on his YouTube channel.
The Natwest Trophy final hero said it is difficult for the bowlers to perform at their best without full backing from the management.
“In such an environment, a bowler can never perform. He knows this is the only opportunity, and he will be dropped if he does not do well. These emotions affect the bowling a lot. No one talks about this. Playing in a relaxed environment matters. You have to tell them that no matter what, you will play six games. You have to do that. Otherwise, whoever comes will be conservative and afraid. No one can prove themselves in one or two games.”
Kaif also questioned the management for dropping Kuldeep Yadav after one bad game. Yadav returned with expensive figures of 1-53 in his four overs in the second game, and he was left out of the playing XI in the next two matches against the West Indies.
“Kuldeep got hit in one match and you made the change. Neither are you sticking to the seniors, nor are you backing juniors, and you keep making changes. A team can never be built this way. The good thing is that there is still time for the World Cup. The challenge is whether they can rectify these mistakes in time,” he said.
India and the West Indies will play the fifth and final match of the series at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, on Saturday.
