Having a strong batting lineup importance after recent loss in the WI series : Dravid
The Indian cricket team emphasizes the importance of having a diverse range of bowling options in T20I cricket. As a result, they made the bold decision to include four players who are traditionally considered weaker batsmen in each of the five games against West Indies. This strategic move has sparked discussions due to the resulting lack of batting depth. The team management is fully aware of this concern, and even head coach Rahul Dravid acknowledged that their options were limited, leading them to end up with a 3-2 scoreline on the losing side.
“In terms of our squad, it may not have provided us with enough flexibility to make changes to the combinations,” he remarked during the post-match press conference. “Moving forward, there are certain areas that we need to focus on improving. One particular area is finding depth in our batting lineup. We are working hard to do our best, but this is an aspect that requires attention. We need to find a way to strengthen our bowling attack without compromising on the batting department.”
“While these games are in progress and the scores are growing, take a look at West Indies. Even their No. 11 player, Alzarri Joseph, possesses great batting skills. They have a team with remarkable depth. Unfortunately, we face certain challenges in that aspect which we must address. This series has made it clear to us that we need to enhance our bench strength.”
For this tour, several key players were absent due to workload management or injury. Notably, many of them are either specialist batters, such as Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, or specialist bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah. In order to address this gap in the team’s composition, there has been a search for allrounders. Wasim Jaffer on ESPNcricinfo’s T20 Time:Out show suggested that it might be worth considering some impressive performers from the IPL for selection.
According to the coach, the majority of the T20 World Cup team will be chosen from this group of 15 players. It’s important to focus on young talents who can lead the team in this format. Players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Arshdeep Singh are considered the future stars. However, there are some areas that need improvement.
One major concern is the lack of strong batting performance after No. 7 position. Many top-order batsmen are struggling to start well and convert their innings due to a sense that there’s no reliable support after No. 7 position. This mindset hinders their performance when they feel compelled to carry most of the batting load throughout the overs.
“India is set to participate in the World Cup within ten months, and it’s clear that the current template cannot be sustained. The batting lineup needs to extend all the way to at least No. 8, or even No. 9, with a player who has strong hitting abilities. Furthermore, our bowlers must work on improving their batting skills, particularly in terms of hitting sixes or fours. It’s important for us to identify players who can excel in both the batting and bowling departments. Individuals like Shivam Dube, Venkatesh Iyer, and Washington Sundar come to mind as potential candidates for this role, and we should focus on nurturing their talents.”
Jaiswal, Tilak and Mukesh impress Dravid
The players who were given a chance in the West Indies made the most of it. Jaiswal impressed with a century on his Test debut and a crucial half-century in the T20Is. Tilak is already being considered for bigger tournaments like the Asia Cup, while Mukesh, after years of hard work in domestic cricket for Bengal, proved that he deserves to wear the India cap across all three formats in just a few weeks.
“I was impressed with all three players who made their debuts in this series,” Dravid commented. “Yashasvi Jasiwal particularly stood out in the fourth game with his excellent innings. He has already showcased his capabilities in the IPL, and it was great to see him perform similarly on the international stage.”
“Tilak Varma impressed me, especially with his performances in the middle order. He often entered the game during challenging situations but maintained a positive and aggressive playing style that helped move the game forward. Additionally, his brilliant fielding throughout the series showcased his overall skills. It’s promising to see Tilak being able to contribute with the ball as well by bowling one or two overs. Having a left-hander like him in the middle order brings a significant advantage, particularly when facing strong opposing attacks.”
“Mukesh also had a strong debut in all formats during this series. His performance while bowling at the death, even against formidable and powerful hitters, was impressive considering he had only played four or five games. We can take away some positive aspects from the debutants’ performances and hope that they gain confidence from this series and continue to learn as they progress. They will have more opportunities in the T20 format when they go to Ireland, and with each opportunity, they will improve.”
