India’s captain Rohit Sharma expressed concerns over the team’s selection strategy following their T20 World Cup 2024 opener against Ireland, where India secured a straightforward win. The match, played on a new drop-in pitch at the Nassau County ground, posed unexpected challenges, particularly in terms of bounce, which left Sharma with a bruised right bicep.
Source : criccrazyjohns
During the post-match presentation, Sharma acknowledged the need to reassess the team’s composition, particularly the decision to include four spinners in the 15-man squad. He noted that the pitch conditions in New York were not conducive to utilizing so many spinners effectively.
Source:- BBC news
“Yeah, just a little sore (the arm). I said it at the toss as well. Quite unsure of what to expect from the pitch. Not aware of what it is to play like on a pitch that’s five months old,” Sharma commented. He also pointed out that the variable bounce of the pitch made it difficult for batsmen to settle.
Despite these challenges, India’s bowlers performed admirably, with Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh leading the pace attack. Sharma praised Arshdeep for his two early wickets, which set the tone for the match. Bumrah, who finished with figures of 2/6 in 3 overs, welcomed the seam-friendly conditions, a rarity compared to typical pitches in India.
“Try to hit those lengths consistently. That’s pretty much what you have got to do. All these guys have played a lot of Test cricket. Arshdeep is the only guy who hasn’t. His two wickets upfront set the tone for us,” Sharma said.
Looking ahead to their next match against Pakistan, Sharma admitted uncertainty about the pitch conditions but emphasized the need for a balanced team capable of adapting to varying circumstances. He hinted that the four-spinner strategy might not be viable for future matches, especially those in the USA and potentially the West Indies.
“Don’t think we can play four spinners here (laughs). When we picked the team, we wanted to have the balance. If conditions are there for seamers, we wanted to have that. Spin will play a part later on (West Indies).”
Reflecting on his own performance, Sharma noted the importance of spending time at the crease and adapting to the conditions, despite his injury. His innings of 52 off 37 balls provided a steady foundation for India’s chase.
Bumrah, echoing the captain’s sentiments, highlighted the importance of adaptability in T20 cricket. “Coming from India, with the ball seaming around, I wouldn’t complain when there’s help for bowlers. In this format, you have to adapt to the conditions, you have to be proactive,” he said.
Ireland’s captain, Paul Stirling, acknowledged India’s superior performance, particularly their disciplined bowling, which left little room for the Irish batsmen to maneuver.
India’s next match in the T20 World Cup 2024 is against Pakistan on Sunday, and the team will be looking to fine-tune their strategies based on the lessons learned from the encounter with Ireland.
Share your views in the comment
