Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar on Wednesday reckoned the change in format and their past exploits in ODIs could bring glad tidings for the struggling duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma within the series against England and the Champions Trophy. Each Kohli and Rohit have struggled in recent times, including within the Test series against Recent Zealand at home and within the marquee Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, raising questions on their future in international cricket. While star batter Kohli was dismissed eights times to deliveries outside the off stump in Australia, the Indian captain managed just 31 runs in five innings and decided to drop himself for the ultimate Test in Sydney.
“See, each these players will go down as the very best white ball players of all times.
For those who make an inventory of all-time greats in 50-over cricket, they’re automatic decisions. So, the format and their past performances will surely give them quite a lot of confidence in the way in which they’d approach,” Bangar, a Star Sports Network expert, said during an interaction organised by the broadcasters.
“So, I mean, how would Rohit approach at the highest of the innings is something which can be very interesting because he’s had a run of low scores. So, when you see possibly one innings or so, or possibly two innings, then we could have an idea as to the approach that each these players can be taking into the 50-over format.
“And the assessment could have to be not only the ODI series, but in addition the Champions Trophy. So, we could have an actual insight, a transparent insight of their approach.” Ahead of his much-anticipated Ranji Trophy comeback, Kohli had also summoned Bangar to assist him out together with his batting during a special net session.
Bangar was feeding Kohli with throwdown from 16 yards with give attention to playing the rising deliveries on the backfoot. A transportable cement slab (with attached wheels) was placed behind length (mid-pitch between 8-10m length) to feed the batter with back of length deliveries that rise steeply.
Nonetheless, Bangar didn’t reveal anything about his special session with the struggling batting maestro.
Backing KL Rahul to get the nod
Bangar, the previous India all-rounder, has backed KL Rahul to wear the massive gloves ahead of Rishabh Pant within the team’s forthcoming engagements.
“For those who solid your mind back to the way in which KL Rahul has performed not only as a batsman, but in addition as a wicketkeeper. A number of the catches and the way in which he kept within the (2023) World Cup was simply fabulous.
“Rishabh Pant, little doubt, is a really, very exciting talent. But currently, I consider that the team would start with KL within the lineup based on the performances that he’s given in the center overs in addition to his exploits as a wicketkeeper,” Bangar believed.
No alternative for Bumrah
Within the event lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah misses out with an injury, the center overs will turn out to be critical from India’s viewpoint with spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy probably operating during that phase.
“Within the absence of Bumrah, the bowling could have to rely upon other facets, possibly a Kuldeep Yadav doing quite a lot of damage in the center overs. Or for that matter, I also see that Varun Chakravorty has been included.
“So, in case Bumrah is unavailable, then they will probably want to push the teams back through the center overs in order that within the last 10 overs, they might not must face situations wherein the team would generally be depending on Bumrah kind of a situation.
“Jasprit Bumrah’s absence can’t be filled by any bowler for the time being.”
‘Siraj omission surprising’
Bangar said he was a bit surprised to see pacer Mohammed Siraj not figuring within the ODI setup considering Bumrah has an injury scare.
“It’s at all times a little bit bit dangerous to categorize players that they will only be very effective in a selected phase. So, yes, to reply your query, I’m a little bit bit surprised as to how Siraj was a part of the winning team as well because a number of the games he did rather well in the center overs as well.
“The sport against Pakistan in Ahmedabad involves my mind wherein he got here and he broke the partnership. So, I feel that he has been India’s prime bowler. Even if you happen to remember the Asia Cup, he took a fifer for just near nothing against Sri Lanka within the finals.
“I feel a high quality player is a high quality player no matter the phase.”
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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