Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan wants India to pick Ravi Bishnoi over Kuldeep Yadav in the T20I series against South Africa. The first T20I between the two teams was called off after persistent rain at the Kingsmead, Durban on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Bishnoi was awarded the Player of the Series for his fine bowling performance throughout the five matches against Australia. The leg-spinner scalped nine wickets in the five matches of the series and ended as the leading wicket-taker of the series.
The leg-spinner was able to provide crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs and delivered for the team along with Axar Patel.
On the other hand, Kuldeep Yadav scalped 15 wickets in 11 matches of the ODI World Cup at an average of 28.27 and played a key role in taking India to the final of the showpiece.
Zaheer Khan feels Bishnoi’s ability to contribute in the Powerplay overs gives him an edge over Kuldeep Yadav.
Zaheer told Cricbuzz: “Ravi Bishnoi is someone who they should continue with because that gives you flexibility as well. He bowls in the powerplay. If you go for Kuldeep, he doesn’t bowl in the powerplay. So, that should be the thought process there.”
Meanwhile, former Indian wicket-keeper bat Parthiv Patel also concurred with Zaheer Khan and said it is imperative to give a longer run to Bishnoi.
”After the last series, if you don’t play Ravi Bishnoi, that means you are taking out both the bowlers who bowled four overs in the powerplay. That’s where continuity makes a big difference, especially to a young player who’s had a good series. If you give him that continuity, that confidence grows, and a wrist-spinner needs that confidence. We all know how well Kuldeep Yadav has bowled in the recent past. So, there is nothing new to see.”
Khan feels Ruturaj Gaikwad might miss out on India’s playing XI in the second T20I against the Proteas. Gaikwad finished as the highest run-getter in the series against Australia as he amassed 223 runs in five matches at an average of 55.75 and a strike rate of 159.29.
“Looking at the continuity and whatever we’ve been seeing, I think Ruturaj Gaikwad might miss out. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill will start. Shreyas Iyer possibly will be coming at No. 3, and then Suryakumar Yadav Yadav.”
“You’ll have to see whether Tilak Varma is going to come in or not at No. 5,” Zaheer continued. “You will definitely need a keeper, so Jitesh Sharma possibly will take that spot. You have Rinku Singh at No. 6 followed by the five bowlers.”
The second T20I will be played between India and South Africa at the St George’s Park, Gqeberha on Tuesday.
