Commentator and former Team India coach Ravi Shastri was quick to assess Team India’s performance against South Africa on Sunday, the 22nd of February. South Africa produced an all-round performance to outclass the Men in Blue by 76 runs in the Super 8 game of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
The Proteas scored 187/7 in 20 overs and bowled India out for 111 runs in 18.5 overs. Team India suffered their biggest defeat in the history of the T20 World Cup. Shastri stated that Team India needed a wake-up call.
Shastri said during the ICC Review that it was good that the team suffered a defeat early so that it would give them time to review their loss and prepare for the next two Super 8 matches against Zimbabwe and West Indies that would be played in Chennai and Kolkata on the 26th February and 1st of March respectively.
Shastri said he was happy to see this result as it has come early, which will allow the Team management to reassess the combination of the playing eleven in the next two matches. Shastri said he was confident the team would come back strongly as they would have learned their lessons and wouldn’t take things lightly going ahead.
Ravi Shastri wants Axar Patel in the playing eleven in the next two matches against Zimbabwe & West Indies
Shastri felt that Axar Patel should have been included in the match against South Africa. Shastri stated that the team management could include both spinners in the playing eleven, as there are 5 right-handers in the top 7 of the batting order. Shastri further added that this decision can provide depth in the bowling as well as the batting lineup.
Shastri went on to say that Axar Patel's experience is vital, and he needs to be brought back and also emphasised that both Axar Patel and Washington Sundar should be included. He said Varun Chakravarthy looked below par against South Africa, and so a backup option is vital.
Shastri said, if Axar Patel is sent in at no 8, it will add width in the batting order. With Hardik Pandya batting at no 5, Shivam Dube at no 6, and Washington Sundar at no 7, Axar’s inclusion will add depth to the batting order. He also stated that if both Axar and Sundar are included, then coach Gautam Gambhir will have to make a tough decision of dropping Rinku Singh, or if Rinku is included, then he has to be played as a finisher.Shastri also added that if you aren’t getting results even with 8 batters in T20 cricket, then something’s not right with the combination.
