Opinion: India’s Squad Analysis for New Zealand T20I’s
Jan 9, 2019 at 3:56 PM
India takes on New Zealand for a three-match T20 series after the fifty over series commencing from November 1.
Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer and fast bowler Mohammad Siraj got their maiden national call-up in the 16-member squad announced by The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) selection committee led by MSK Prasad.
However, Ashish Nehra was included only for the first T20, as he announced that he would retire from all forms of cricket on November 1 a few days back.
There was no dilemma in the selector’s mind with the opening slot, as southpaw Shikhar Dhawan and Mumbaikar Rohit Sharma have been performing consistently for some time now. Shreyas Iyer, who was recently named as the India A captain, got his debut call for the national side.
Iyer has been scoring tons of runs in first-class cricket, and it was only about time that he will get an opportunity. The Mumbai batsman had a good stint with India A side against the Black Cap A, scoring 317 runs in four matches by batting in the middle-order.
The men in blue skipper, Virat Kohli is currently the no. 1 batsman in ICC Rankings for T20 batsmen list.
Batting at no. three spot, Kohli is the most dangerous batsman in world cricket and has the capability of playing shots all around the park. With his aggressive attitude, he is a treat to watch on the field and what makes him stand apart is his leading from the front quality. KL Rahul who was left out of the ODI squad got recalled, and he has to prove his worth to seal a spot in the limited-overs game.
Dinesh Karthik and Manish Pandey got retained from the squad for the Australia series. Karthik comes from a wonderful domestic season for his side Tamil Nadu, and a lot will be expected from him if he gets an opportunity. Manish Pandey who has been in and out of the squad will also to look to impress the selectors with a long season ahead.
MS Dhoni is still a crucial member of the squad with his experience and match-winning capabilities. His fast movements and reactions behind the stumps are still unmatchable.
Hardik Pandya, the new star of Indian cricket has impressed everybody with his clean hitting. He is in good form right from the Champions Trophy, and a lot is expected out of him. There are speculations that Pandya has the capability of fulfilling India’s dream of having a proper all-rounder.
The selectors once again bestowed their confidence on the young trio of Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal, who has proved to be decisive in the recent tours. With not much of experience behind their back, at times they can go for runs is the only weak link Virat Kohli has to handle with New Zealand having few hard-hitters in the middle-order.
Mohammad Siraj, who grabbed every bodies eyeball with his stint for the Sunrisers Hyderabad has been performing well consistently in the first-class tours. Siraj got his maiden call as a reward for performing exceptionally well. The veteran Ashish Nehra who announced his retirement was selected only for the first T20I with the onus given to Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, who are leading the pace attack in the limited formats.