Former Indian Head Coach Ravi Shastri said that India must continue their aggressive batting approach in Shortest Format of the game.
India started aggressive batting approach after their early exit from T20 World Cup 2021.
“They should not change the approach (they have shown of late). Even when I was coach we discussed we were a bit timid at the top considering the players we had down the order.
“It is the right approach. You will lose a few games in between but if you start winning with this approach you can take that confidence in big games and use the same tactics,” said Shastri in a press conference organised by Star Sports.
KL Rahul recovered from the injury and returning to the team on the other side Virat Kohli also coming back into the side after his short break.
Question:Can the younger players’ replacements, the two veteran batters, exhibit the same level of ferocity?
“Why not? They are very experienced players,” said Shastri.
“They have played enough IPL and T20s and it should not be tough for them to adjust. With Rishabh, Hardik, Jadeja there is enough depth in the middle and lower order to get the innings back on track if top order falls cheaply.”
‘Hardik and Bumrah’s workload needs to be observed carefully’
The all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s return has given the Indian starting eleven the much-needed balance.
“He is one of the most important cogs in India’s wheel. You take him out, the balance goes awry. We missed him last year at the World Cup where he could not bowl. No one is close to the quality that he possesses,” Shastri said.
“He has to be watched very closely. With the games coming up (before the T20 World cup), Bumrah and Hardik need to be observed very carefully to ensure there is no breakdown. They are your two important players.”
Ravi Shastri also backed Virat Kohli to get back into the form in the Asia Cup 2022.
“I haven’t spoken to him (recently). It is not rocket science. Mental fatigue can creep into the best in the world. This down time not just needed for his body but to reflect,” the 60-year-old said.
“He will come back with a much calmer mind. He gets 50 in the first game, mouths will shut. Public memory is very short and works both ways.
“There is no cricketer fitter than him. People keep saying one innings can make a difference but with a player like Kohli it makes a massive difference. His hunger and passion remains undiminished. He would have learnt from this phase let me tell you that,” he said.
Ravi Shastri also feels that toss advantage will must be there. Last years World Cup in UAE most of the Teams are preferred Bat second because of dew.
“90 percent of the games won by teams who won the toss. You must start when there is dew in both the innings. 6 pm start makes the start extremely important (with the fielding team not experiencing dew). If you have to make sure that both sides get to face same amount of dew.”
