The former India player Mohammad Kaif has openly questioned the decision of the team’s management to exclude right-arm speedster Arshdeep Singh of the playing team during the ODI openers in the series against New Zealand. Kaif expressed his surprise at the fact that Arshdeep is known for his ability to pick off wickets was left out while Prasidh Krishna was still playing despite his cost at times.
In response to India’s loss to Pakistan in the second game of the ODI match, Kaif stated that should India want to be serious about taking the World Cup in 2027 to their home, they have to understand how to defend against totals that are a little below.
In the YouTube channel of his, Kaif urged head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill to rethink their pairing for the series’ final in Indore.
“Arshdeep is an effective wicket-taking player, yet the bowler is sitting out, as Prasidh Krishna is constantly getting opportunities. In the absence of one or two matches, Prasidh tends to leak runs. If we continue to say that the 280 runs weren’t enough to win, then I can’t think this team could be successful in winning the World Cup. There will be times when you’re 15 runs behind. To be a champion you have to learn how to win games even if you score between 270 and 280.” Kaif said.
He added that India must increase their chances of winning matches with the ball even when the conditions aren’t optimal instead of relying on huge numbers.
Kaif has also ruled out the ongoing debate about that dew-factor, stating that teams need to be prepared for it, rather than using it as a reason to excuse themselves.
“There is always a little dew in games at night. Instead of focusing on the weather the team needs to concentrate on the execution. You must find ways to bowl efficiently even when there is dew in the field,” said the coach.
India have been able to go with three fast bowlers who are specialist during the matches in Vadodara in the first match and Rajkot. With the series close as well as the third ODI nearing it is expected that the focus will to shift from experimenting towards execution.
The decisive match will take place on Indore’s Holkar Stadium in Indore, an arena in which India have a perfect record. They have won every ODI held there, and have also won in the past against England, West Indies, South Africa, and Australia in the past, a positive indicator as they try to end the series.
