Quite a few among the experts are of the opinion that India have the ability to field “as many as three teams” in international cricket. Those experts may be right with their views, but it’s not necessary that all those teams will be formidable units.
In the ongoing T20I series in the West Indies, the Hardik Pandya-led Indian side consists of several players who have been stars for their respective IPL franchises. Yet, this team finds itself on the cusp of a series loss against the Windies, who are going through inarguably the worst phase in their cricketing history.
Many believe that these players, following the inclusion of pacer Jasprit Bumrah and maybe even the fast-improving Mohammed Siraj, will be forming the core group of the Indian squad for next year’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States. But Rovman Powell and his teammates, up 2-0 in the five-match T20I series, have proved there are chinks in this Pandya-led group.
A win for the Windies in the third T20I at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Tuesday will seal them the series, a much-awaited one against India. While for India, it wouldn’t bode well at all if they concede the series in a matter of just three games. But in order to stay afloat, they must get their batting sorted, which wasn’t the case in the defeats in the first two matches.
Barring young Tilak Varma, this T20I series has so far been a hard ride for India’s batters. Even captain Pandya hasn’t been able to convert his starts, while the Windies’ on-field brilliance (a fine catch and a direct hit) negated the Suryakumar Yadav factor.
However, what India seriously need to look into is including the talented Yashasvi Jaiswal in the top order. If needed, Jaiswal can replace the struggling Ishan Kishan or Sanju Samson.
Having proved his ability with the bat in this year’s IPL for Rajasthan Royals by amassing 600-plus runs which also featured a maiden century, Jaiswal carried that form into the Windies Tests as well. This seems to be the ideal time to give him that break he deserves in T20I cricket.
In terms of shot-making at least, Jaiswal seems quite ahead of his peers.
Bowling-wise, it would be good for India if left-arm chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav has recovered from his sore thumb which ruled him out of Sunday’s game.
Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who played in place of Kuldeep, did reasonably well. But if Axar Patel remains in the XI, it would only make sense if the left-arm spinner is given at least an over or two to bowl.
That too, in conditions that aid spinners.
