"This Cannot Be The Template": Ex-India Star Tears Into Team's Approach

14.08.2023 - 11:03 sports.ndtv.com

Top Indian stars like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Shreyas Iyer, etc missed the T20I series against West Indies due to injuries or workload management as Hardik Pandya's men slumped to a 2-3 defeat.

Though there's no T20 World Cup this year, the result has raised many questions about the team's preparedness in the shortest format and roadmap going forward.

Former India opening batter Wasim Jaffer isn't happy with the 'template' shown by the team in the series and wants it to be changed. "The bulk of the [T20 World Cup] team will be from this 15," Jaffer said on ESPNCricinfo. "You need to look at the youngsters to take you forward in this format.

So players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, they are the future. But there are some gaps you need to fill.

cricket India Cricket Team West Indies Cricket Team 2023 West Indies vs India Wasim Jaffer Washington India

India's squad for the Asia Cup 2023 has received a mixed reaction, with a section of fans and experts pointing out the apparent 'flaws' that exist in the team. Highlighting one of the problem areas in the team, former India star Gautam Gambhir asserted the need to have a proper backup for Hardik Pandya. Though Shardul Thakur has shown over time how productive he can be with the bat, Gambhir doesn't think he is the ideal backup for Hardik. The former India opening batter, instead, wanted Shivam Dube to have gotten the nod.

Asia Cup 2023 - "I Think They Will Win": India Star Shafali Verma On Rohit Sharma-Led Squad

Indian woman cricketer Shafali Verma on Monday said that the Indian men's cricket team will win the Asia Cup 2023 which will start on August 30 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. At an event in Mumbai, Shafali Verma told ANI, "The team looks very strong. All those who were missing owing to injuries are making a comeback. So, I think Team India has become very strong. So, I think they will win." India named their 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup squad on Monday.

Hardik Pandya's Form Concerns Ex-India Star Ahead Of World Cup, Drops Yuvraj Singh Reference

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has raised doubts over Hardik Pandya's role in the team for the World Cup. Manjrekar feels Hardik, who has been rested for the ongoing T20I series against Ireland, would need to contribute with both bat and ball to increase India's chances of winning the marquee event. To further back his claim, Manjrekar pointed out how Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina chipped in with crucial contributions with both bat and ball during India's World Cup triumph in 2011.

"Everyone Was Waiting To See This Jasprit Bumrah": India Star's Massive Statement After T20I Win Over Ireland

The leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi showered praise on India's star pacer Jasprit Bumrah after his outstanding comeback performance against Ireland in the opening T20I of the three-match series on Friday. Bumrah-led India beat Ireland by two runs by the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-curtailed match in the opener of the three-match T20I series against Ireland in Dublin on Friday to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Ace India pacer Bumrah shone in his comeback outing against Ireland in Malahide after suffering a back ailment. Bumrah last played for India almost a year ago in a bilateral T20I series against Australia at home. A back ailment would keep him out of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022, necessitating surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period.

Why India Need Virat Kohli In 2024 T20 World Cup? Ex-India Star Explains

Virat Kohli is undoubtedly one of the greatest batters in the world across all three formats. Known for his blistering knocks, the 34-year-old batter is en-route to breaking Sachin Tendulkar's historic record of 100 international centuries. While he is breathing fire in the ODIs and Tests, Kohli has not featured in a single T20I match since India's debacle in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022. Kohli, along with skipper Rohit Sharma has been missing out on the T20Is with all-rounder Hardik Pandya, donning the captain's hat.

Kohli is the solution to India's No 4 concerns, says Shastri

NEW DELHI : Fielding Virat Kohli at number four could address India's long-standing concerns about a settled batter at that crucial position, former coach Ravi Shastri has said.