Indian team recently created a world record by winning 21 T20I matches (ongoing) in 2022, the most by any team in one calendar year, breaking Pakistan's record. They are considered one of the favorites to win the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022.
However, just before the tournament, the Indian team faced two huge problems, one with the batters and the second being premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah getting a serious injury.
And now former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has shared his thoughts on all the issues and started with KL Rahul. The Karnataka batter and India vice-captain has come in for heavy criticism for his poor strike rate.
In the recent first T20I against South Africa, while India had to chase down 107 to win, KL Rahul managed 51* in 56 balls, while Suryakumar Yadav made 50* in 33 balls.
Speaking to PTI, Watson said Rahul needs to be aggressive from ball one in the World Cup Down Under.
"KL Rahul is one of my favorite batters. To me when he is batting at his best, when he is aggressive, he takes the game on and is not trying to control the game. He has got that skill, when he is just reacting to the ball coming down, he has all the shots all around the ground against the best bowlers in the world.
"I love seeing him when he feels like he's got nothing to lose, then he can even strike at 180 without taking too much risk. If he is able to do that (in Australia), there will be a lot of bowlers in trouble," said Watson.
Apart from Rahul, the Men in Blue are also fretting over the fitness of ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who is reportedly suffering from a serious injury to his back and is in doubt for the T20 World Cup 2022.
Watson says that without Bumrah, the Indian pace attack is their weakest link.
He said: "India have certainly got the batting to do incredibly well in Australian conditions but the biggest question mark is around their fast bowling. The spinners, Axar Patel and Yuzi Chahal, are as good as anyone in the world in all conditions but the fast bowling without Bumrah in particular, whether they can execute skills under pressure at the back end of the game. That is where teams will be trying to expose India."
India needs a bowler who can bowl in excess of 140kmph in the absence of Bumrah, said Watson.
"It is a genuine concern (lack of express pace), that is why Siraj will be a good option if Bumrah isn't there. The pace at which he bowls and the skills he has got, swinging it away and pushing towards 150 kmph with the brand new ball and he can execute well in the end as well. He provides that element that other Indian bowlers don't necessarily have,” Watson added.
Shane Watson also praised Hardik Pandya for both his batting and bowling and said that he can make a huge impact in every game he plays for India.
"I love nothing more than seeing an all-rounder who is bowling at good pace and hits the ball like Hardik does. To be able to see him work through his body issues and bowling like he is right now, it is something very special.
He is a match-winning kid. Every time he bowls in the game, he can make a huge impact. His batting continues to go through the roof. Everyone knew he had the genuine technique to bat through the middle overs and not just be a power hitter in the end. He has shown that. And he's bowling at 140 plus," said Watson.
India will fly to Perth to prepare for T20 World Cup 2022 on October 6th.
(PTI inputs)
