WELLINGTON, Nov 17:
Having not learned from their mistakes, India will aim to shed their archaic playing style for good with the help of a “young and fearless” bunch in the three-match T20I series against New Zealand, beginning here on Friday.
After the World Cup debacle in the UAE last year, India did adopt an aggressive batting approach but by the time the next edition came knocking, the top-order was found wanting and failed to take the attack to the opposition.
India found themselves running in circles as the wait for their first ICC trophy in nine years got longer.
With the next T20 global event two years away, India have enough time to identify and groom the players for an attack-at-all costs approach displayed by England.
Hardik Pandya, who could lead the team in the next T20 showpiece, will be captaining the side in Rohit Sharma’s absence.
Stand-in head coach VVS Laxman has indicated that the management will be keen to add only T20 specialists to meet the requirement of the modern game. Though the focus has shifted to ODIs ahead of the World Cup next year, India would like to make most of the T20 games here and the nine more they play before the 50-over mega event.
Though Virat Kohli was in sublime touch Down Under, the lack of “intent” from Rohit and K L Rahul in the powerplay was criticised heavily. There is a strong possibility that all three will not play the shortest format till the 2024 edition, and therefore, India need to plan for the future.
Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill will be the likely openers for the first game here but the management can also give Rishabh Pant another opportunity at the top of the order.
Though India are fielding a second-string team in New Zealand, the squad members still have a decent amount of international experience.
The highly rated Gill, who rose to prominence with his exploits in the U-19 World Cup in New Zealand four years ago, will be hoping to make his T20 debut here.
Kishan has already been tried at the top regularly over the past 12 months and the series presents him a good opportunity to make a strong case for the team’s preferred opener. (PTI)
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