Indian team batting coach Vikram Rathour explained the rationale behind sending Ishan Kishan to open with KL Rahul for the important clash against New Zealand in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021, on October 31 in Dubai.
Unfortunately, Kishan got out for 4 runs as India managed just 110/7 in 20 overs and lost the match to Black Caps by 8 wickets, slipping down to the fifth position in the Super 12s Group 2 points table having lost both of their two matches.
India had made two changes in their match against the Kiwis as Ishan Kishan came in for Suryakumar Yadav and Shardul Thakur replaced Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Batting coach Vikram Rathour, during a virtual press conference, explained the reason behind opening the innings with Ishan Kishan instead of Rohit Sharma.
"How things went was that Suryakumar Yadav was having back spasms the previous night so he was ruled out of the game against New Zealand. The person coming in was Ishan and he has done well as an opener. The whole management took the call and Rohit is part of that group. He was part of that discussion, having Ishan as an opener tactically made sense. We did not want many left-handers in the late middle-order," said Rathour.
Replying to an ANI query about the lack of competition for the finisher slot, the batting coach said: "We have Jadeja in the team as well who I think is a fabulous finisher. Players like Suryakumar Yadav, players like Virat have done well for us in the past. We have enough players who can do the job, I do not see any issue. When you pick the team for World Cup, you have a slight restriction where you can pick just 15. That's the way it is. I think we have enough in our batting, we have just not been able to execute our plans."
Talking about the bowling scheme of things, Rathour said: "Few factors involved. Execution can be better, secondly, the wicket definitely eases up when you are bowling second and thirdly, we did not put up enough runs on the board to create that pressure. Once you are defending just 110, it gets easier for the team batting second. We are having lots of planning where bowlers are involved, our execution can be better."
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India will face off against Afghanistan in their next match with a change of venue as the encounter takes place in Abu Dhabi.
"Of course, Afghanistan is a good team, they have done well. I think the challenge would be their spinners. If we can bat to our potential, as I said we have skillful players. If we play to our potential, we will do well," he added.
India will need to win their next three matches handsomely and hope for a few other results to go their way to qualify for the semi-finals.
(ANI inputs)
