Former England skipper Nasser Hussain recently opened up on Team India’s repeated setbacks in important tournaments despite having a dominant record in their bilateral series as well. The Men in Blue last won an ICC tournament in 2013 when they won the Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni.
Notably, Team India suffered their first group-stage exit from an ICC event last year in the T20 World Cup that too for the first time in nine years. They faced criticism for playing rather conservatively instead of aggressively. While talking about that, Hussain said in an interaction with Sky Sports Cricket:
“India’s issues have been ICC events really. They have been going around beating everyone, with a variety of players, they have rotated and rested. But the truth is that they have played some timid cricket in world events, like almost gone into their shell. They definitely played some fearful cricket in the last World Cup, especially in the powerplays.”
However, India will go into the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 after having played an aggressive brand of cricket under Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid recently. While opining that India have to approach the World Cup with the same way as they do for their bilateral campaigns, Nasser Hussain added:
“India have got to keep the hitting potential. Suryakumar Yadav has been in unbelievable form. They are missing two great cricketers in Jadeja and Bumrah. They have got to keep the same mindset they have had in the bilateral events.”
Inside #TeamIndia's nets session with Batting Coach – Vikram Rathour, Bowling Coach – Paras Mhambrey & Fielding Coach – T Dilip. pic.twitter.com/L8E3yosSbT
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 10, 2022
“They don’t have enough all-rounders” – Nasser Hussain on India’s woes
Meanwhile, India got a big blow as Ravindra Jadeja’s injury before the T20 World Cup has made them worry about their middle order. While Hardik Pandya playing a more important role at No. 5, the finishing role has fallen to the veteran Dinesh Karthik as well.
However, while talking about the lack of skilled batting options down the order, Hussain said, “At the start of T20 cricket, everyone talked about how there is no need to worry about No.7, they’ll probably get like seven balls to face, so might as well play the extra bowler.”
“But actually, if you have a solid No.7, then it means that your top six can absolutely go for it. That has been an issue for India, they don’t have enough all-rounders and Pakistan as well. Babar and Rizwan are so worried about the depth of their batting, so 20 overs becomes a very long time,” Nasser Hussain concluded.
Notably, India will open their T20 World Cup campaign with a match against Pakistan on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
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