While the Indian team is getting ready for the crucial Auckland ODI against the hosts New Zealand, former Indian World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev wants to see one change in the Indian side for this game.
The visitors India lost the first ODI of the three-match series in the ongoing New Zealand tour at Hamilton. Despite scoring 347 runs in the first innings, the visiting bowlers failed to defend that big total. The hosts chased down that target in 48.1 overs after losing six wickets.
Among the Indian bowlers, Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav hugely disappointed as they were very expensive. The right-arm pacer Thakur had the bowling figures of 9-0-80-1 (economy rate 8.88) and the left-arm chinaman Kuldeep managed the bowling figures of 10-0-84-2 (economy rate).
Due to that result, the Indian team now have to win both the remaining games of this ODI series as another defeat will kick them out of this contest.
While they will play the second ODI of this series at Eden Park (Auckland) on Saturday (8th February), Kapil Dev wants to see the right-arm fast bowler Navdeep Saini in the Indian squad. The former Indian captain believes that Saini deserves this opportunity due to his pace and wicket-taking abilities.
In a recent interview, Kapil Dev told ABP News, “You need a wicket-taking option. It is important to get Saini in the side not because India have lost the first ODI but he deserves a place in the side because of his pace and wicket-taking abilities.”
Talking more about this, Kapil Dev pointed out the success of Jusprit Bumrah. The no.1-ranked ODI bowler is bowling well in this New Zealand tour.
The former captain added, “Look at Bumrah, he forces New Zealand to play him watchfully because whenever batsmen try to attack these bowlers can get wickets.”
The 27-year-old Navdeep Saini has played three ODIs and ten T20Is where he has picked up five and 13 wickets respectively. He has impressed many experts in his initial outings.
Team selection should be never be based on liking or disliking: Kapil Dev
Apart from this discussion, Kapil Dev also talked about the team selection process.
He said, “Team selection should be never be based on liking or disliking. It should be on what the team requires and which combination can you win you games.”