Vikram Rathour credits strong domestic foundation for young India players being "cricket smart"

India National Cricket Team batting coach Vikram Rathour has credited the strong domestic foundation in Indian cricket for the success of the young players at the international level.

India’s domestic cricket system is regarded as one of the best in the world and it has produced many star players. Recently, the likes of Sarfaraz Khan, KS Bharat, Rajat Patidar, and Dhruv Jurel made it to India’s Test squad on the back of their strong domestic cricket performance.

Yashasvi Jaiswal also played wonderfully in domestic cricket as well as the Indian Premier League (IPL) and he has set the stage on fire in the ongoing five-match Test series against England National Cricket Team. He is currently the leading run-getter in the series and has already slammed 545 runs in just 6 innings. The 22-year-old has an astonishing average of 109.00 and he has also hit two double centuries.

In the absence of the likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, the young Indian guns have stepped up in the England series and helped the side take a 2-1 lead after the loss in the series-opening clash.

Meanwhile, Vikram Rathour has said that the experience of playing domestic cricket has helped the players to develop cricket intelligence and they have become cricket smart.

“It is good for the team but it’s better for them. Once you get to this level and start playing Test cricket, everything said and done, there are nerves, there is some pressure, but if you get a good start, nothing better than that,” Rathour at a press conference ahead of 4th Test.

“And the young players who have come in the team have got a good start and it feels good. They have cricket intelligence in them, which is again a great sign. It’s a great message, coming from Indian domestic cricket, that the new players are cricket smart.”

It is tough to miss key players – Vikram Rathour

Vikram Rathour further admitted that the absence of key players is a setback for the team, but added that it also provides opportunities for the young players to shine on a grand stage.

“It is tough to miss key players, it’s better for the team if everyone is available but a series like this is a good opportunity for the young players, who have played on these wickets to establish themselves.

“There is always belief that our domestic cricket is so strong, you are pretty assured that whoever comes has come through after doing good. We don’t know what is going to happen when KL Rahul, Virat Kohli come back in. That is not a concern at the moment.”

The five-match Test series currently stands at 2-1 with the India National Cricket Team in the lead. The high-voltage fourth Test match will be played from February 23 at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi. A win for India would seal them the series and end the Test series winning streak of Ben Stokes & Co. in the Bazball era.