Former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra believes that stand-in captain Rishabh Pant should be smart in using his bowlers, as Team India failed to defend 211 runs in the first T20I and then 148 runs in the second T20I against South Africa.
Indian bowlers are yet to make any big impact in the ongoing five-match T20I series, as South Africa took a 2-0 lead in the series by winning the first two matches. However, India will look to make a comeback in the third T20I on June 14 in Visakhapatnam, and many are hoping for changes in the playing XI.
Well, Nehra doesn’t think Avesh Khan will be dropped for the third T20I against South Africa despite having not yet taken a single wicket in the series.
He conceded 35 runs in his quota of 4 overs in the first match, but was impressed with the ball in the second match, as he returned with the figures of 0/17 in three overs.
Ashish Nehra said on Cricbuzz: “It is not like you've lost nine matches or something. It is just two games and its because the other team played well. So unless there is a big change in the conditions, it is going to be the same team. The other players who are sitting outside, when they get a chance to play even they will be given a run of four or five matches.”
The former pacer added, “Avesh Khan has not done too badly. He wasn't even bowled completely (in the second T20I). So unless they want to add one more fast bowler or else if they feel two spinners are less, it is better to go with the same eleven.”
Nehra said that Rishabh Pant should re-look at how he is using his bowlers.
Explaining his point, the former pacer noted: “It was going to be difficult (to defend 149) in the second T20I despite them taking three wickets (in the powerplay). Rishabh Pant should be looking at how the middle overs went. Harshal Patel is the kind of bowler who does the job in the death overs.”
He signed off by saying, “But Akshar Patel should not be brought on so late in the match. It is not like there is a guarantee that he would have taken wickets if he was brought on earlier but Pant should be seeing if he could have done that during this match.”
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
