Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes the current Indian side, which has been selected for the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2022, is the best that he has ever seen. Shastri, who was a part of the coaching setup in last year’s World Cup, has been with the side for a very long time. Unfortunately, India failed to qualify for the knockout stage last year, which was also Virat Kohli’s last big event as the skipper.
Within a year from the previous World Cup, the Indian lineup has grown very strong. With Suryakumar Yadav's recent rise and the comeback of experienced finisher Dinesh Karthik to the middle order, the Indian batting line-up appears more stable now. Shastri believes that Indian batters can help the side reach the semi-finals this time around, regardless of the absence of India's pivotal fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
“I have been part of the system for the last six-seven years, first as a coach and now I am watching from the outside, and I think this is as good a line-up as India has ever had in T20 cricket. With Surya at No.4, Hardik at No.5, and Rishabh Pant or Dinesh Karthik at No.6 it makes a massive difference as it allows the top order to play the way they are playing,” Shastri declared during an event at the Mumbai Press Club.
One area that India will have to pick up and start right from the beginning is fielding: Shastri
While the batters have been performing brilliantly of late, India’s concern is the bowling attack. The bowlers do get India off to a good start, but they fail to defend runs in the death overs, which has been the need of the hour for the side. But Shastri is worried about India’s fielding and said that the squad would need to do better in this area throughout the competition.
“One area that India will have to pick up and start right from the beginning is fielding. They need to work hard and get their A-game on the field when they step out (in the first game) against Pakistan. Those 15-20 runs that you save can make all the difference because otherwise every time you get out to bat, you need to get 15-20 runs extra,” Shastri added.
The Men in Blue will open their T20 World Cup 2022 campaign on October 23 against arch-rivals Pakistan. Before the opening fixture, India will play two warm-up games, one each against Australia and New Zealand.
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