India squad WI: Madan Lal surprised – There were hints that Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be dropped after a lacklustre show in South Africa. But Chetan Sharma-led selection committee persisted with the experienced pacer by keeping him only in the T20 team. But Former pacer Madan Lal has questioned the move saying he is surprised why he is in the T20 team. Follow IND vs WI Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“Selectors have taken the right decision in dropping Bhuvneshwar Kumar because he is not performing. I am surprised why he is in T20s also. I think selectors have given him a new lease of life because when you are performing, then only you get a long rope. You need to perform if you are given a long rope,” Madan Lal told ANI.
India squad WI: Very SURPRISED Madan Lal raises valid question, Why is Bhuvneshwar Kumar in T20 team?’
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned empty-handed in two matches in exchange for 128 runs at an economy rate of 7.27. He was promptly dropped from the 3rd ODI. In Sri Lanka, he wasn’t really effective. In two matches, he bagged three wickets and conceded runs at an economy rate of 6.15. Compare that to his career economy rate which stands at 5.08 and the answer is there.
Madan Lal said instead of picking Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the selectors should have backed someone like Avesh Khan to make T20 debut after an excellent showing.
India squad WI: Very SURPRISED Madan Lal raises valid question, Why is Bhuvneshwar Kumar in T20 team?’
“If you are not a match-winner for the team, then selectors will pick someone else like Avesh Khan as he has performed really well. He is a very talented youngster ND I think selectors have done really right thing. It is up to him on how he performs now,” Madan Lal said.
However, the former India pacer is happy with Ravi Bishnoi, who was backed by selectors ahead of Rahul Chahar. The former U-19 World Cupper had an excellent IPL 2021, returning with 12 wickets from 9 matches with an economy rate of 6.34.
“You are selected because you have performed in One Day matches or T20 matches. This is an opening for Ravi Bishnoi. I wish him luck because he is a good bowler. Whatever I have seen of him in the IPL that his ball can turn and skid as well. He is also known as a good fielder. So, we need to give chances to youngsters and we need to introduce one or two youngsters on a regular basis,” Madan Lal said.
India squad WI: Very SURPRISED Madan Lal raises valid question, Why is Bhuvneshwar Kumar in T20 team?’
Lal said he is happy with Rohit Sharma’s comeback into the ODI and T20I against West Indies and hopes that he is fit to play.
Team India are set to play three ODIs at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad from February 6 followed by the T20I series at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata from February 16.
“Definitely Rohit Sharma’s comeback is a good thing. I hope he is fully fit because we need him at no 1 and no 2 because in ODIs and T20Is, the first ten overs are very crucial to win the match and Rohit Sharma is a master of that position. He has also scored a lot of runs. So, it is a good thing that he is making a comeback,” Madan Lal told ANI.
India ODI squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan.
India T20I squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-captain), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Mohd. Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel.
India squad WI: Very SURPRISED Madan Lal raises valid question, Why is Bhuvneshwar Kumar in T20 team?’
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