Though the Indian cricket team lost their 5-match T20I series against West Indies, the Men in Blue have some positive news after their youngsters stood up with impressive performances.
India had made experimentation in the short format series against West Indies which was a total failure except Tilak Varma emerged as a nominee for the World Cup middle-order slot following his impressive performance in the T20I series.
Rohit hints at Tilak Varma’s inclusion in World Cup squad
Indian cricket team who recently struggles to find the best no.4 slot player starts to make experiments to fill the position.
India side is awaiting for Asia Cup and World Cup and was looking for options in the middle order in the ODI series but the No.4 slot remains up for grabs. The team management was that it was their final chance for experiments before two big events. The senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli did not bat in the series against West Indies and were sidelined.
With the series concluded with the victory of West Indies, there was criticism of sidelining the senior players but there were moments for youngsters like Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, and Suryakumar Yadav to shine in the spots.
Before the series, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan were seen as candidates for the wicket-keeper’s spot. But with his performance in the series, made a huge advantage as a strong nominee for the opener’s slot with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill set to open in Asia Cup.
Rohit Sharma’s absence has paved the way for Ishan Kishan to open in all three games and made the opportunity making scores of 52,55 and 77.
Samson who used to get sidelined was able to deliver under pressure and score 51 runs off 41 balls in the series-deciding third ODI game which shows his impressive performance.
More was expected from him in the following T20I series but could not make it count. The team is likely to carry him till at least to the Asia Cup if not the World Cup.
In the absence of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar had to back the middle-order audition but the master of T20I batting fell short on the expectations. Considering his capabilities and what he can do for his team, it will be difficult for Team management to ignore him for the final 15 of the World Cup.
Despite Rahul and Iyer regaining full fitness before Asia Cup beginning on August 31, they have to convince the team with their performance after their long rest due to injury.
“Look, No.4 has been an issue for us for a long time. Shreyas was actually batted at No. 4 and he has done well- his numbers are really good,” Said Indian Skipper Rohit Sharma.
“There were so many guys who came in and went out. But the injuries kept them away or they were not available or someone lost form. Shreyas and KL are coming off not playing anything for four months, big injuries, surgeries rather. Both had surgeries.
“I know, I had to undergo surgery once and how it feels afterward, it is quite tough. We have to see how they respond, what they do.”
The 20-year-old was only picked for T20s, showed remarkable skills, and matured in his debut series for India. He hit sixes for his first runs in international on the Pace bowler Alzarri Joseph’s over.
He got better in the series and played a huge role for India in the T20 series before India lost the 5th T20I match on Sunday. The Varma’s arrival for the big stage along with Ravichandran Ashwin who backed the player for the World Cup squad.
