India lost a controversial first T20 match to Australia by four runs courtesy of duckworth lewis interruption in the match due to rain. Australia finished on 158/4 after 17 overs but the target was revised to 174 runs owing to D/L method. India managed to make 169/7 in their quota of 17 overs, which is 11 runs more than what Australia made but with the rain playing the spoiler, D/L method played its part and India lost by four runs.
Meanwhile, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh opines that playing Krunal Pandya over much fancied Yuzvendra Chahal was a wrong by the Indian team management. Bhajji also felt that limited overs specialist Ambati Rayudu should have been considered for the T20’s.
Harbhajan predicts a mandatory change in Indian squad for 2nd T20
Harbhajan feels the senior Pandya will have to warm the bench and Haryana spinner Yuzvendra Chahal will take his place in the team. Harbhajan felt that Pandya is not a handy option in Australia and said that the Baroda all-rounder relies on pace to contain the runs and does not possess any spin in his bowling.
“That team combination is something that they have to look at. Whenever Kuldeep and Chahal bowled together, they have taken wickets, put pressure on the opposition. They have been quite successful as a pair. Krunal Pandya bowls a few overs here and there but in Australia, you need someone else. He doesn’t spin the ball and bowls it really fast. I think we will get to see Chahal in place of Krunal in the next game,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying by Times Now.
Harbhajan opines to play Rayudu over Rahul
The Punjab born cricketer feels that Ambati Rayudu has proved his worth at number four and should be considered over out of form KL Rahul.
“There are a lot of problems that need to be solved before we get into the World Cup, the spin department especially. We were talking about KL Rahul and using him as a proper batsman at number four but there is Ambati Rayudu who will be playing the World Cup. Going forward, the more number of matches he will play the better for Team India,” Harbhajan said.
