Selectors want backups for aging Indian players, better balance in middle order for ICC World Cup 2027.
BCCI selectors want backups for aging Indian players, better balance in middle order for ICC World Cup 2027.
As a left-handed batter, Tilak is looked to as being able to break up the monotony of right-handers in the batting lineup, according to a Times of India report. Since Tilak's off-breaks are thought to have a lot of promise, he has been asked to improve his bowling.
In fact, the lack of bowling alternatives in the top order has been noted by the team management as a reason for increased strain on the bowlers and lower order.
The actual planning for the ICC World Cup will begin when India tours New Zealand, as the Men in Blue won’t have a full-strength squad for the upcoming home series against the West Indies. A full-strength T20 team is also scheduled to travel to Japan for the Asian Games at the same time.
“Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill feel there isn’t any backup ready for the middle order. With Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy being prone to injuries, they want someone in the top order who can at least chip in with four overs in an ODI,” a BCCI source said to Times of India.
In order to balance the playing XI, Indian team management has sent either Washington Sundar or Axar Patel at No. 5 or No. 6 throughout the past year. Ishan Kishan was ahead of Iyer in the most recent series in England.
“The team has to be prepared for conditions in South Africa in the World Cup. Iyer got injured in Australia, and his game against pace and bounce is untested of late. The team already has two aging players in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They are having niggles as well. KL Rahul too will be over 35 by the time the World Cup comes around. Ravindra Jadeja isn’t a certainty either. The fielding of the team has suffered due to fitness issues. The team management feels that they need younger backups ready,” the source said.
The selectors, also reportedly, aren’t in favor of moving the batters around and having them play out of position. Ruturaj Gaikwad struck a hundred against South Africa in Raipur last year while playing at No. 4. However, since then, he has not been selected for the ODI squad.
“Gaikwad was picked as a backup opener since Gill was injured. The team management feels Tilak could have been tried in that place. That’s why they don’t want to rush Devdutt Padikkal in the ODI setup because he found his calling in white-ball cricket while opening the batting,” the source said.
The selection committee is scheduled to convene on September 3 to choose the side for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in Delhi beginning September 13. According to sources, the selectors would most likely retain the team chosen for the upcoming Asian Games.
The official fitness reports for Hardik, Nitish Reddy, and Jasprit Bumrah are awaited. Varun Chakravarthy has reportedly regained full fitness.
(Times of India report)