Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar has revealed his India squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against England, starting on January 22 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Young batting sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal has surprisingly not made it into Bangar’s first-choice XI.
Sanjay Bangar’s T20I squad featured a blend of experience and emerging talent in the top six, with Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson forming the core, supported by aggressive finishers Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube for the upcoming home series against England.
Sanjay Bangar excludes Yashasvi Jaiswal from India’s XI for the T20I series against England
Interestingly, Bangar also emphasized Jaiswal’s potential as a versatile player across all formats of the game. He said that Yashasvi Jaiswal remains a key prospect for India’s future in all three formats of the game, but for now, he would like to go with these four players.
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On the other hand, the wicketkeeper’s spot remains highly contested, with Bangar acknowledging the stiff competition between Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul for the crucial role. The former Indian coach suggested that Pant might be the better option for a longer-term perspective, particularly if India needs flexibility in the batting lineup.
Bangar also proposed a scenario where, if Sanju Samson is unavailable, Yashasvi Jaiswal could be moved to the top order, allowing Rishabh Pant to slot in at No. 5. He feels this strategic adjustment could provide India with a balanced lineup while utilizing Pant’s dynamic batting skills effectively.
It’s a very hard to pick one between Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul: Sanjay Bangar
Sanjay Bangar said on Star Sports: “For me, the top four are similar, wherein Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav along with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. No. 5 and No. 6 – Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube. For me, the reserve top-order batter has to be Yashasvi Jaiswal. I would want him to be playing all three formats, at least to be in contention for all three formats.
The backup wicketkeeper, that’s a toss-up; it’s a very hard one between Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. If the need is batting in the top four, then yes, Rishabh Pant, or else KL Rahul. It’s a toss-up but if you have to have a longer-term view, then Rishabh could be the guy.”
Furthermore, Bangar also shared his picks for India’s lower order and bowling lineup. He included Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel at No. 7 and No. 8, followed by Kuldeep Yadav at No. 9. Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna completed the lineup as the frontline pacers.
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Sanjay Bangar says Kuldeep Yadav is the most preferred spin bowler
The former Indian cricketer said that Kuldeep Yadav is his preferred No. 1 spin bowler for India, and Varun Chakaravarthy should be his backup for the England series. Bangar noted that he picked the team keeping in mind that Jasprit Bumrah is not going to be seen playing in the T20I series.
Bangar signed off by saying, “No. 7 and No. 8 are Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel. No. 9 is Kuldeep Yadav. No. 10 and No. 11 are Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna. For me, Prasidh Krishna is a bowler who can bowl really penetratively with the new ball and also in the middle overs. The backup pacer will be Khaleel Ahmed. Kuldeep is an out-and-out match-winner because he is the most preferred bowler, and Varun Chakaravarthy is his back because he brings that mystery element to him.”
Here’s Sanjay Bangar’s India squad for the T20I series against England:
Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Varun Chakaravarthy, Khaleel Ahmed.
