ZCZC
BSP-23
CRICKET-INDIA-YOUNGSTERS
India backs youngsters despite criticism
NAGPUR, Nov 9, 2019 (BSS) – The team India backed its youngsters despite
they shelled some crucial chances in the last T20 games.
Criticism poured on those youngsters like Rishab Pant, Krunal Pandya to
miss those chances which were the key in India’s seven-wicket defeat to
Bangladesh in the first game.
Rishab Pant missed some crucial stumping chances in both matches while
Pandya put down a simple catch of Mushfiqur Rahim, who latter drove the side
home, playing an unbeaten 43 from 60-ball.
Critics however seemed to be harsher on Pant than Pandya as the young
wicket-keeper failed to inflict stumping on Soumya Sarkar when he shared a
crucial partnership with Mushfiqur to put shed on India’s victory. Pant even
couldn’t do anything worthy when his chances to show his talent came in the
first game.
Despite the ongoing criticism of their performance, India captain Rohit
Sharma urged all to keep patience on the young players and at the same time
vowed to give them more opportunities regardless of the criticism.
“You know there is a lot of talk happening about Rishabh Pant every day,
every minute. I just feel that he needs to be allowed to do what he wants to
do on the field,” Rohit said.
“I would request everyone to keep their eyes away from Pant for a while.
He is a young guy, 21 or 21, trying to make a mark in international cricket.
Every move he makes on the field people start talking about him. It is not
fair. I think we should allow him to play his cricket which actually he also
wants to,” the Indian captain said.
Focus on him a lot more when he is doing good things also, not just bad
things. He has been learning, he has kept well also. He is trying to do what
team management wants him to do. “He is a fearless cricketer and we want him
to have that freedom. And if you guys take your eyes off him for sometime, it
will allow to perform even better,” he added.
He also backed Rishab Pant and Shreyas Iyer, another young player to
thrive in International cricket very soon.
“Both of them are very talented. Have great abilities in whatever they do.
Definitely the future of Indian cricket and they have proved that in all
levels. Rishabh has been around for a year to two, Shreyas has been in and
out but now he looks settled in ODIs, trying to make a mark in T20,” Rohit
added.
India’s inexperienced bowling line up was also a cause of concern but
Rohit has no headache about it, saying they would give them more exposure to
establish them.
“Yes, they are slightly inexperienced. This is the right time for them to
learn. We always say you should play domestic cricket and learn. But I feel
that till you play international cricket, you won’t know where you stand as a
bowler,” Rohit said.
“This is a very good challenge for the whole bowling group, because you
are playing against an international team and an international team will
always challenge you. Their batsmen will always challenge you, play shots,
put you under pressure,” he said.
“So that’s why we can’t judge these bowlers so quickly. Right now, these
are players who have only played 5-10 matches. They will only learn by
playing more games.” the Indian captain added.
BSS/SMP/ARS/1951 hrs