Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of both the India and Pakistan teams ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, starting on October 16.
India and Pakistan will clash in the high-octane clash in the ICC event on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and Bangar said that the fast-bowling is always the Men in Green’s biggest strength, but they are overly dependent on their top order in the batting department.
He stated that Team India has a lot of match-winners in their batting line-up, so they are not reliant on specific players. In terms of the pace attack, the Men in Blue lack pace, but they can compensate with their skills.
He also suggested that India should include Deepak Chahar as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement in the T20 World Cup squad because of his ability to swing the ball to strengthen their bowling attack.
Sanjay Bangar said on Star Sports show 'Cricket Live': “I feel, in the batting department, it's clear that Pakistan is over-dependent on their top order like Babar and Rizwan. Whereas the Indian team is not actually dependent on a couple of players. There are 4-5 match winners and they are in their prime form, so, from a batting perspective, I feel the Indian team is in a better position.”
He continued, “If you look at the bowling part, obviously, they have the speed, they always had that, but the Indian team has the skill in the sense that if Deepak Chahar is fit in place of Jasprit Bumrah, you can clearly see his ability to swing the ball upfront.
Also, Arshdeep Singh, is our own version of a left-hander that we were searching for. So, he's somebody who can swing the ball both ways. I feel that the Indian team is lacking in the speed department, but they more than makeup with the skill that they possess.”
Bangar signed off by saying, “Team India has had some good games against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, and what the Indian team would be weighing up is that it is a more complete team, which is a team that is not dependent on just one or two individuals.”
