Umran Malik (Image Credits: Twitter)
Umran Malik (Image Credits: Twitter)

Former Indian player WV Raman said that team India head coach Rahul Dravid made everyone in the team feel secure about their positions by not implementing any changes in the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa at home. 

India levelled the series after going down 0-2 to coming back with successive victories in Vizag and Rajkot to make it 2-2. The final T20I match in Bengaluru was washed out owing to rain showers, and hence, both teams shared the trophy for the five-match series. 

India vs South Africa: 5th T20I At Bangalore Abandoned, Series Ends In A Draw 2-2
India vs South Africa: 5th T20I At Bangalore Abandoned, Series Ends In A Draw 2-2

Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh didn’t make debut for India in South Africa T20Is

India will have to wait for another opportunity to defeat the Proteas in a white-ball series at home as they have either lost or squared the series in the past – 2015 T20I series (lost 0-2), 2015 ODI series (lost 3-2), 2019 T20I series (drew 1-1) and 2022 T20I series (drew 2-2). 

Despite some underwhelming performances in various departments like the instances of Ruturaj Gaikwad with the bat or Avesh Khan with the ball or Axar Patel in both the areas failed to justify their selection in the first two games. But none of the players got dropped from the team as the Rishabh Pant-led side played the same team in all five matches. 

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The Rahul Dravid policy was definitely a booster for the players in the team but not for some of them who made their way into the squad-based on their terrific IPL 2022 campaign. 

Pace bowlers Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh warmed the bench throughout the T20I series as India played senior pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar along with Harshal Patel and Avesh Khan in the team.

Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh will get a chance in the Ireland T20I series

WV Raman feels both Umran and Arshdeep will be played in the upcoming two-match T20I series against Ireland to mark the start of their international careers.

WV Raman
WV Raman. Image-ICC

“Playing the same eleven in all five games isn’t a bad idea. It gives everybody a clear-cut idea of what’s going to happen and makes them feel secure, which was a good thing done by (Rahul) Dravid,” WV Raman told Hindustan Times. 

“But Ireland games are a good opportunity for both players. Get them in and give them a taste of what international cricket is all about. I would go on to the extent of saying that they will get a chance in the series,” he added. 

India plays Ireland in the first T20I on June 26 at Castle Avenue in Dublin.

Also Read: IND vs IRE: The Role Hardik Pandya’s Given Will Dictate His Batting Spot & Overs – WV Raman

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