With the T20 World Cup 2022 barely a few months away, India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey is looking at the ongoing T20I series against the West Indies to identify the team's bowling attack for the showpiece ICC event
"It's all part of our preparation for the (T20) World Cup. Right now, we are looking at different options that we have and giving opportunity to youngsters to find out who does the job for us," Mhambrey told reporters after India suffered a five-wicket defeat in the second T20I against West Indies on Monday (August 1).
"It's easier to kind of plan that way," he added.
Mhambrey complimented the young Indian pace attack, which includes the likes of Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh, alongside the veteran campaigner Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
"Very happy with the potential they have shown. The last couple of games we played, Arsh and Avesh have shown their ability to perform under pressure and it is something I am very happy with," the bowling coach stated.
"What impresses me most is the fact that how much they want to learn and improve every single day. When you are a coach, it is a two-way communication. That makes the job easier to have a dialogue with the bowlers and vice versa.
"Yes, we will try different stuff, different players. You have (Jasprit) Bumrah not out here. (Mohammad) Shami as well. But I look at all this as an opportunity for the young bowlers to prove themselves," he further said.
Mhambrey reserved special praise for the 23-year-old Arshdeep, who returned with the figures of 2/24 and 1/26 from his four overs in the first and second T20I respectively.
"I have been watching him for a long time, especially since the IPL. Something that really stood out was his ability to deliver under pressure," Mhambrey stated.
"If you look at how he goes about, he bowls (in) the first powerplay and also in the death. In terms of the composure he has shown (so far), it has been fantastic," he added.
Despite Team India’s collective batting failure, Paras Mhambrey said there were plenty of positives to take away from the second T20I.
"We did not have many runs on the board. But, that is the way it is. This format is like that. You go out there and still perform. The idea initially was to try and pick up the wickets.
"Thanks to the bowlers, the way we bowled, the spinners...(Ravindra) Jadeja bowled his full spell. Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar) as well. So, everyone contributed. It went down to the wire. But that is how this format is," he said.
(With PTI inputs)
