India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour has showered praise on the young players of the team, who have grabbed their chances in the ongoing series against England. The likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, and Akash Deep have taken their opportunities with both hands.
Yashasvi Jaiswal has taken Test cricket like fish to water, scoring 545 runs in the first three Test matches at an average of 109. Sarfaraz Khan made a terrific start to his Test career, scoring twin half-centuries in both innings at Rajkot. Furthermore, Dhruv Jurel also made an impressive debut, adding 46 runs and also doing a good job behind the stumps.
Moreover, Akash Deep, making his debut, has bagged three wickets on debut in the ongoing Test match at Ranchi.
“It is good for the team but it’s better for them. Once you get to this level and start playing Test cricket, everything said and done, there are nerves, there is some pressure, but if you get a good start, nothing better than that,” the former India opener commented in the pre-match press conference.
“And the young players who have come in the team have got a good start and it feels good. They have cricket intelligence in them, which is again a great sign. It’s a great message, coming from Indian domestic cricket, that the new players are cricket smart,” Rathour added.
In the absence of players like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Mohammed Shami, the youngsters are getting a chance to prove their mettle.
“It is tough to miss key players, it’s better for the team if everyone is available but a series like this is a good opportunity for the young players, who have played on these wickets to establish themselves,” Rathour said.
On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja was right on the money in Rajkot. Jadeja scored a fine knock of 112 runs in the first innings and also bagged a five-wicket haul in the second essay. Rathour added Jadeja keeps things very simple and it is the key to his success.
“He’s always been a really, really good batsman, without any doubt. He keeps everything very simple. There is no complication. He’s not overthinking, he’s not over-analyzing anything. He just does what the team requires at that stage and that goes for his bowling and batting both. So, I think it’s a great asset that he has. Keeping it really simple and executing his plans,” Rathour said.
England are currently 63-3 with Akash Deep bagging all three wickets in Ranchi.
