Former Indian batter Abhishek Nayar is concerned that India has similar types of batsmen in the team, that have the same batting style. Nayar feels barring Shreyas Iyer, all the Indian batters take their time before taking the attack against the opposition. Indian batters have adopted a subdued approach and it has led to the team’s downfall on many occasions, especially in major tournaments.
Teams like England have adopted Bazball and their players are playing aggressively from the outset. India will look to take the bull by its horns in the upcoming Asia Cup as well as the World Cup.
Speaking to Jio Cinema, Abhishek Nayar explained: “The biggest concern for me is that India have very similar types of players. When you look at your top order, barring Shreyas Iyer, who can play big shots from the outset, everyone else is someone who will take their time before they play big shots. We had Hardik Pandya, who used to hit a six off a spinner on the first ball he faced, but now even he has stopped doing it.”
Furthermore, India hardly has a left-hander in their top order and thus they have added Tilak Varma in the ODI squad for the Asia Cup. Nayar reckons if India decides to promote Ravindra Jadeja then Hardik Pandya will have to bat at number seven.
“Having right-handers, although it is not so much of a concern, but when the ball is turning in these conditions and you have a left-arm spinner against you, Ravindra Jadeja is the only left-handed batter we have. That will push Hardik Pandya to No. 7. That part of it is a bit of a question mark. Because if KL Rahul and Virat Kohli are batting together, who is going to be the aggressor?”
On the other hand, former Indian selector Saba Karim reckons India becomes very tepid in the middle overs and they need to take a more aggressive approach.
“At times, we become very tepid in the middle overs when we are bowling. That is why your balance or your composition should always contain attacking bowlers who can do a similar kind of job even in the middle overs”
India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on September 2.
