India Don't Have Enough Bowling Options For T20 World Cup 2022 - Michael Vaughan
Published - 07 Jul 2022, 02:47 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:10 AM
Former England captain Michael Vaughan stressed concerns over India’s lack of bowling options for the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia later this year. India started its preparations for the mega event with the team management exploring all the options available at their disposal.
India levelled the five-match T20I series against South Africa at home and followed it with a 2-0 win against Ireland as Hardik Pandya led a second-string Indian side. India played the likes of Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel in the T20Is against South Africa as head coach Rahul Dravid went on with the same playing XI for all five matches. Hardik Pandya would provide the team as the sixth bowling option.
Do the Indian team have enough bowling options for T20 World Cup in Australia?
Pace sensation Umran Malik, who warmed the bench throughout the South Africa series, made his international debut against Ireland. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja were rested for the home T20Is to give him time for the England tour while left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav missed the series owing to an injury.
India is yet to play Arshdeep Singh in one of their bilateral series as the left-arm pacer didn’t get the opportunity to represent India against South Africa and Ireland despite being in the squad for both the series. Reports have suggested that Indian selectors won’t consider playing senior pacer Mohammed Shami as they find him unfit to play the shortest format for the national side.
I just worry about the bowling options for India: Michael Vaughan
Vaughan called India as favourites for the mega event Down Under but pointed out the lack of bowling depth in their squad as a major concern for the think tank.
“India are a talented bunch and they should be right up there with the favourites for the T20 World Cup, but they’ve got to find a better mechanism. I just worry about the bowling options for India. I don’t know if they have got enough. They always seem to have five bowling options and six batters,” Vaughan told Cricbuzz.
“I personally would want seven options in T20 cricket. It’s about trying to find players in the top 5, who can offer you overs. Maybe Hardik Pandya bats in the Top 5. That makes your line-up a bit thicker. But I do worry for India that they don’t have enough bowling options,” he added.
India will play England in a three-match T20I series, starting on Thursday (July 7) at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
