Former India head coach Ravi Shastri is encouraging Hardik Pandya to be India’s new T20I captain.
He feels that if India does need a new T20I skipper at this point in the game, then they should change it, and if it is Hardik Pandya, then BCCI should definitely go for it.
If Rohit is already leading in Tests and ODIs, there is no harm in identifying a new T20I captain, and if his name is Hardik Pandya, so be it.
Even stand-in head coach, VVS Laxman said that they now need to groom youngsters and make out some T20I specialists.
That’s the way forward, VVS is right. They’ll identify specialists, especially among the youngsters.
For this tour, the BCCI has selected a multitude of youngsters and have given the senior players a rest.
Shastri and former India pacer, Zaheer Khan also feel that India can easily follow England’s template.
It’s a template that can be followed easily, India has got a wealth of resources and it can start from this tour. It’s a fresh young side, you can identify, groom this team.
Many fans and critics have asked the BCCI to send active Indian players to play in different T20 leagues.
While overseas players can come and play in the IPL, India’s men’s players cannot participate in overseas T20 leagues.
Both Shastri and Zaheer Khan don’t agree with this stand.
I feel that there are a lot of processes in place. It’s not about playing only franchise cricket, it’s about going to different countries to learn things.
That is very important and BCCI with its shadow tours, that process is well in place. I don’t see any other reason for players to go and play in a particular tournament.
Moreover, Shastri and Zaheer also agreed that the New Zealand tour is a good time for pacer Umran Malik.
Umran has been an exciting talent and this kind of exposure will help him. It’s about how he takes things forward and how quickly he understands that this stage is going to be crucial if he wants to grab that spot in the playing XI and cement his place.
Added Shastri,
He’s one of the fastest bowlers in India and you saw what happened in the World Cup, genuine pace rattled opposition whether it was Haris Rauf or Naseem Shah, Anrich Nortje.
Shastri has also talked about why coaching staff should not be given any breaks.
I don’t believe in breaks. Because I want to understand my teams and players and then be in control of the team.
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