IND vs SA: "It Is Surprising To See How Big A Talent Pool They Have Managed To Create” - Kamran Akmal On Depth In India's Bench Strength

The wicket-keeper-batsman for Pakistan, Kamran Akmal, has praised India for giving its players frequent opportunity to compete in international cricket.

In his opinion, the Men in Blue have developed such a strong bench that they are capable of fielding two different teams at the top level. Akmal emphasised how despite the fact that all of the hosts’ key players have left for Australia for the 2022 T20 World Cup, they are still contending against South Africa in an ODI series.

India Have A Very Sound Policy, Credit To Their Domestic System: Kamran Akmal

Akmal said in a video posted on his YouTube channel:

“It’s a great sign for India that they have two teams ready. One team is playing the ODI series against South Africa, and the other has reached Australia for the T20 World Cup.

“It’s not just white-ball cricket, they have players ready for Test cricket as well. They have a very sound policy, and we must give credit to their domestic system. It is surprising to see how big a talent pool they have managed to create.”

The current three-match One-Day International series between the host team and South Africa will be played using a reserve lineup. Shikhar Dhawan has been chosen to lead the team as the captain, and Shreyas Iyer will serve as Dhawan’s assistant.

Before the major competition, Rohit Sharma and the other T20 World Cup-bound players have arrived in Australia. They will shortly start their preparations with their warm-up matches.

Akmal said, “In the opening ODI of the series in Lucknow on Thursday, October 6, India’s second-string team gave South Africa’s full strength team difficult challenge.”

Indian Main Team Would Have Chased The Target: Kamran Akmal

In the 40-over game that was postponed due to weather, the hosts were unable to overtake South Africa’s score of 249. But Akmal is of the opinion that the hosts would have prevailed if their key players had been there. The wicketkeeper from Pakistan added:

“South Africa won the game by nine runs. They survived the tough phases as the conditions were difficult because of the rain. They were able to do that because they have their full-strength side and all their main players are playing in the series.

“While they were up against a second-string Indian team, they had to work very hard for the win, just like they would have had to against India’s main team. If India’s main players were there, they would have chased down this target.”

The second ODI of the series between the two sides will take place at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Sunday, October 9.

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