India
India. (Image Credit: ICC Twitter)

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel has backed Team India’s decision to try out different combinations on the ongoing five-match T20I series ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup

India has gone with three different opening combinations in the three T20Is thus far. Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul opened the innings in the first match. Dhawan was dropped in the following match after a lackluster performance with Ishan Kishan getting a maiden call-up to the side.

India, Parthiv Patel, KL Rahul
KL Rahul for India (Photo- Getty)

Kishan smashed a match-winning 56 but with Rohit Sharma making a comeback in the third T20I, Ishan Kishan was demoted to the third spot as KL Rahul continued to open the innings despite two back-to-back failures.

Speaking on Star Sports, Parthiv Patel said that while it is important to win the series, it is equally important for Team India to experiment with different combinations in order to zero in on a winning formula, something that the team failed to do in the lead

“Winning is important, but you know what happened in the 2019 World Cup. We were struggling to find the right combination. In the ongoing series you can test yourself against the best in the business. This is the right time, winning is important but you should know what combination you are going with. Either you are going with 5 bowlers. At some stage you will have to fall back to six bowler strategy when Ravindra Jadeja comes in and your main pace attack comes.

“In 2019 World Cup it was all about the number 4 position and now we have so many openers to choose from. India will be looking to solve that,” Parthiv added.

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Meanwhile, KL Rahul’s struggles at the top-order continued in the third T20I as the stylish batsman registered his third duck in his last four innings after Mark Wood knocked him over with a pacy delivery. India endured a horrendous start as they lost three wickets in the powerplay and managed a mere 24 runs. None of the Indian batsmen had any answer to England’s relentless fast bowling barring skipper Virat Kohli, who played yet another classy knock to ensure that the home side managed a respectable 156 in 20 overs.

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