After losing the first two games of the T20I series against South Africa, Team India made an incredible comeback to make the series 2-2. The Rishabh Pant-led team remained unchanged over the four games and bounced back in the series with a 48-run win over the Proteas in Vizag and an 82-run win over the South Africans at the SCA Stadium in Rajkot.
Even after the loss of the second T20I, a number of former cricketers and fans were startled by India’s reluctance to make changes to the XI. Former Indian cricketers Ashish Nehra and Aakash Chopra advised Avesh Khan to drop out of the XI after the third game win, but team management held out and Avesh enjoyed the advantages in Rajkot, taking 4/18 in four overs.
People like Umran Malik have been included in the squad to give them the experience of being part of the national side: Sanjay Bangar
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar offered an interesting insight into the side’s unchanged XIs in the series leading up to the Rajkot T20I, as the talk turned to India’s upcoming T20I series against Ireland and the preparations for the T20 World Cup .
“I think Umran Malik was brought into the squad for example to familiarize him with the atmosphere in the dressing room and how an international team functions. Because IPL is ultimately a domestic competition and international cricket is one step further. So there are some selected players in the roster to give them that experience.” Bangar continued Star sports.
“I believe that the 11 players who have played in this series so far, and the first team players who have been rested, I think those 17-18 players are already shortlisted (for the T20 World Cup- plow)”, Bangar continued.
It should be noted that senior players such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the series were reassured.
Also read: IND vs SA: India is undoubtedly the favourite, but South Africa’s adaptability is a concern – Morne van Wyk ahead of 5th T20I
