T20 World Cup 2022: Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan is worried about India’s lack of left-arm seamers. He feels Khaleel Ahmed, T Natarajan, and Chetan Sakariya should be given enough chances and groomed ahead of the T20 World Cup Down Under in 2022. Follow InsideSports for all the live updates.
“With all these names (the Indian bowlers already part of the squad), I just want to add another name — that of a left-arm bowler, and that can be whoever performs in the IPL — Khaleel Ahmed, Natarajan, or Chetan Sakariya. I know Sakariya is a bit rusty at the moment, but if he performs in the IPL, he will be an option. Left is always right!” Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports.
T20 World Cup 2022: Irfan Pathan concerned with India’s lack of left-arm seamers, says ‘Khaleel, Natarajan, Sakariya must be given a look in’
T20 World Cup 2022: Importance of left-ram pacers
- They have the ability to bring the ball from an awkward angle
- Can swing the ball both ways example Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mitchell Starc
- The angle they reverse swing the ball, and the slower ball makes it difficult for batters to pick
- Pitches getting flat day by day make it easier for batters to play. Hence left-arm pacers are vital
- They have natural variations in their armory like Yorkers, bouncers, and knuckleballs
T20 World Cup 2022: Irfan Pathan concerned with India’s lack of left-arm seamers, says ‘Khaleel, Natarajan, Sakariya must be given a look in’
Khaleel Ahmed, T Natarajan, and Chetan Sakariya have made all their international debuts for India in 2021. Khaleel last played a T20I in 2019 against Bangladesh. Natarajan made his international debut against Australia in 2020 and also played during the series against England. A long-standing injury ruled him out of the majority of 2021.
On the other hand, Sakariya impressed in IPL 2021 for Rajasthan Royals (RR). He got to make his debut against Sri Lanka later in July. However, since then he has not been selected for India in the white-ball formats.
T20 World Cup 2022: Irfan Pathan concerned with India’s lack of left-arm seamers, says ‘Khaleel, Natarajan, Sakariya must be given a look in’
Currently, Sakariya, Ahmed, and Natarajan are not being preferred for selection. A good IPL 2022 can catapult them into a bigger league. Natarajan will play for SRH, while Sakariya and Ahmed will play for DC.
T20 World Cup 2022: Irfan Pathan concerned with India’s lack of left-arm seamers, says ‘Khaleel, Natarajan, Sakariya must be given a look in’
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