Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar has revealed his India squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against England, starting on January 22 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Surprisingly, young batting sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal has not made it to Bangar’s first-choice XI.
Sanjay Bangar’s T20I team featured a mix of experience and emerging talent in the top six, with Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson forming the core, supported by aggressive finishers Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube for the upcoming series in home against England. .
Sanjay Bangar excludes Yashasvi Jaiswal from India’s XI for T20I series against England
Interestingly, Bangar also emphasized Jaiswal’s potential as an all-rounder across all formats of the game. He said Yashasvi Jaiswal remains a key prospect for India’s future in all three formats of the game, but for now he would like to go with these four players.
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On the other hand, the goalkeeper spot remains hotly contested, with Bangar acknowledging the stiff competition between Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul for the crucial role. The former Indian coach suggested that Pant could be the best option for a long-term prospect, particularly if India needs flexibility in the batting line-up.
Bangar also proposed a scenario where if Sanju Samson is unavailable, Yashasvi Jaiswal could move to the top spot, allowing Rishabh Pant to take over at No. 5. He feels that this strategic adjustment could provide India with a balanced lineup and at the same time use Pant’s dynamics. batting skills effectively.
It’s very difficult to choose one between Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul: Sanjay Bangar
Sanjay Bangar said on Star Sports: “For me, the top four is similar, where Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav along with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. No. 5 and No. 6: Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube. For me, the top order reserve batsman has to be Yashasvi Jaiswal. I would like it to play all three formats, at least to compete for all three formats.
The substitute goalkeeper, that’s a gamble; It is very difficult between Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. If the need is to bat in the top four, then yes, Rishabh Pant, or KL Rahul. It is a matter of chance, but if you have to take a longer-term view, then Rishabh could be the right person.”
Additionally, Bangar also shared his picks for India’s lower order and bowling line-up. It included Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel at number 7 and 8, followed by Kuldeep Yadav at number 9. Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna completed the lineup as frontline pacers.
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Sanjay Bangar says Kuldeep Yadav is the preferred bowler
The former Indian cricketer said that Kuldeep Yadav is his preferred number one bowler for India and Varun Chakaravarthy should be his backup for the England series. Bangar noted that he chose the team keeping in mind that Jasprit Bumrah will not be seen playing in the T20I series.
Bangar signed off saying, “No. Ranked 7 and 8 are Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel. Number 9 is Kuldeep Yadav. Numbers 10 and 11 are Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna. For me, Prasidh Krishna is a bowler who can bowl with a lot of penetration with the new ball and also in the middle overs. The substitute pacer will be Khaleel Ahmed. Kuldeep is an absolute winner because he is the preferred bowler and Varun Chakaravarthy backs him because he brings that mysterious element to it.”
Here is Sanjay Bangar’s India squad for the T20I series against England:
Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Varun Chakaravarthy, Khaleel Ahmed.