Team India took the field against England in the first ODI with two debutants, Krunal Pandya and Prasidh Krishna. They both played a role in India's 66-run win in the match which impressed former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.
While Krunal picked up a wicket and scored 58*, Krishna bagged four wickets in the match as India defended a target of 318. Inzamam was amazed by India's huge pool of talented players.
“I think India have set up some sort of machine to manufacture new players. There were two debutants even today. This gives a clear signal to the senior cricketers that you have to perform well to stay in the side,” he said on his YouTube channel.
Inzamam added that he has been awe-struck by the Indian youngsters since the Australia tour. He feels juniors contributing to the victory makes a bigger impact.
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“I’m noticing since the Australia series that in every match or format, a youngster turns up and gives outstanding performance. Seniors have their role but when juniors perform like this then it speaks a lot about the side. India’s performance has been this good in the last six months because of their youngsters,” said Inzamam.
Inzamam spoke about the match and pointed out the game-changing partnership between Krunal and KL Rahul for the sixth wicket. They added 112 runs together which helped India cross the 300-run mark after losing wickets quickly.
“The difference that happened in the match was because of KL Rahul and Krunal Pandya. That was the turning point. If India had scored 270-280 then England would have chased it but that 30 runs difference came in the total because of Krunal Pandya, who scored 58 off 31 balls. That’s why I’m saying that there’s a machine in India now,” he said.
Krishna's role with the ball was key as well. He returned with figures of 4/54 when England were racing towards the target with ease. “And when India needed wickets, this young boy Krishna, who was playing his first match picked up four wickets. Again, I’d say that India have found a machine to produce players for every format,” he said.
Team India also saw Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan's noticeable performance in their debut T20I series. The likes of T Natarajan and Washington Sundar have already proved their worth after being given opportunities.
Inzamam talked further about the youngsters in the Indian team and said, “When the youngsters of the team perform so well then it leaves no choice for the seniors to up their level.
“The kind of cricket, the quality if cricket that India are playing nowadays, they are making it look easy against an opposition like England. It was looking like it’ll be tough for India after England’s opening partnership but later on Indian bowlers didn’t allow them the space to breathe,” he added.
