West Indian Chris Gayle: Former Indian cricketer turned commentator Subramaniam Badrinath shared his insights on India’s impressive performance in the ongoing cricket World Cup, particularly highlighting the team’s dominant display and the leadership of Rohit Sharma.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has looked in great touch with his aggressive and attacking intent in the ongoing ICC World Cup. He has scored 311 runs in 5 innings breaking many records.
During his 131 against Afghanistan in Delhi, on Oct 11, he hit five sixes, surpassing the previous record for most International sixes of 553 sixes by West Indian Chris Gayle. He also became the joint-fastest with David Warner to the 1000 runs in ODI World Cup.
Speaking to Star Sports about Sharma’s captaincy and impact as an opening batter, Badrinath said, “First, his captaincy has been very good. He’s stuck to the process and backed the right players. Especially, he’s showing a lot of confidence in Shardul Thakur, and it’s probably time for that move to pay off. I think the captain-player relationship between them is really strong.
Overall, I think Rohit is like a big brother type of captain. He’s easy-going and has a great relationship with the boys. So, I think he’s doing pretty well, and his batting form has been tremendous. He’s spoken about it before, saying that he’s going to play positively right from the word go, and that’s precisely what he’s been doing,” he added.,
Badrinath also delved into the resurgence of spinner Kuldeep Yadav and the balance in India’s bowling lineup.
“Two things. If you consider it from a technical standpoint, he’s worked on his run-up, making it much straighter, which provides more momentum to his bowling. Additionally, he’s improved his non-bowling arm, which is now coming much straighter. These two technical adjustments have increased his airspeed,” said Badrinath.
Badrinath also addressed the absence due to injury of Hardik Pandya and the approach he believes the team should take in his absence for the game against England. Additionally, Badrinath shed light on the untested middle order and the cautious optimism surrounding India’s World Cup campaign.
“Hardik is a big miss, he’s the key player who provides the balance for Rohit and Team India. But I personally will be looking to play a bowler, be it Shami or Ashwin it doesn’t matter, because I want a bowler in there who can bowl 10 overs because I don’t see Shardul bowling 10 overs match on match because that will be difficult.
India’s middle order has not been tested, but it’s not a matter of concern, because India have been dominating and the top order is getting runs so can’t call it a concern, but a fact. But these things happen in sport, you can’t pay the price for playing too good cricket. I hope the 2019 demons don’t come and haunt India, that’s my only worry,” he added.
India will take on defending champion England on Sunday at Ekana Stadium, Lucknow.
