As is always the case with Team India, before any match, the team combination becomes the only talking point, and the second against England, starting on Feb 2 is no different. But the concern is genuine this time around, with the host 0-1 down in the series, and a few players missing due to injuries, while others aren’t in great form.
Even though Indian management has brought in the changes, but the team is sorely missing Virat Kohli, who had opted out of the first two matches due to personal reasons. Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif hopes that Kohli can come back before it’s too late.
“What I feel is that an Indian ODI team is playing Test cricket at the moment. Be it Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, or Shubman Gill, all are strokemakers. Gill loves to hit shots but doesn’t have much confidence in his defence. So he has to make adjustments to his defensive technique to see off good bowling spells. Even Shreyas Iyer is an aggressive player,” Kaif told the Times of India.
A reliable middle-order batsman in the early 2000s for India, Kaif believes that Sarfaraz Khan too, could be included in the playing XI, given the circumstances.
“I hope it isn’t too late till Virat Kohli comes (after the second Test). Dhruv Jurel or in his current form, even Sarfaraz Khan can get a look in. But in the absence of KL Rahul and Jadeja, the Indian batting will weaken, no doubt about that. Axar may have to bat at No.8 and that’s why I feel Washington Sundar can get a look-in because they want batting till No. 9,” he said.
