India's head coach, Rahul Dravid, has confirmed the team's commitment to having Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal as the opening pair in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup. Dravid emphasized the significance of having a left-right combination at the top of the order.
Rohit Sharma, returning to India's T20 squad after a 14-month hiatus, will partner with Jaiswal, who has been opening in the shortest format since the away series against the West Indies in August last year. Dravid expressed satisfaction with Jaiswal's performance as an opener, highlighting the advantage of having a left-right combination.
However, the decision raises questions about how to accommodate Shubman Gill, who either opens or comes in at No. 3 in T20Is. With the return of Virat Kohli to T20Is alongside Rohit, finding a spot for both in the eleven becomes a challenge. Dravid did not rule out the possibility of Kohli opening with Rohit, stating that the team believes in the ability and skill sets of players like Rohit and Kohli to handle different bowling styles.
Dravid emphasized that the selection process considers a player's capability to handle various situations and not solely the desire for a left-right combination. While there are left-handers in the lineup, the selection is based on performance and the ability to tackle different types of spin.
Regarding Rinku Singh, Dravid praised the Uttar Pradesh batter for excelling in the role of a finisher and highlighted the ongoing series against Afghanistan as an opportunity for his further development as a cricketer. He stated that good performances in this series or in the IPL will keep a player in the selectors' considerations.
Rahul Dravid, then highlighted the importance of adaptability and flexibility among players, considering the limited opportunities for collective game time. Acknowledging that the team might not have many chances to play together, Dravid emphasized the need to adapt and remain flexible in the absence of extensive preparation matches.
Some key players, including pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, will not be participating in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. Dravid addressed concerns about their absence affecting the team's ambition to accumulate collective match experience, stating that it's crucial to give players a break due to the extensive cricket schedule.
He explained, "It is impossible for all the players to play all the time, especially for those participating in all three formats. We had to prioritize what is important. Bumrah, Siraj, and Jadeja are not part of this series, keeping in mind the upcoming five-Test home series against England. So, we are always playing that juggling act a little bit over the last two years."
Dravid's comments reflect the team management's strategic approach to player workload management and the balancing act between different formats to ensure optimal performance and player well-being.
(With Agency Inputs)
