Vikram Rathour, the batting coach for Team India, believes that young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan display a commendable level of cricket intelligence, which he attributes to the strong domestic circuit in India.
Jaiswal has had a remarkable beginning to his Test career, accumulating 861 runs in seven matches at an average of 71.75 with three hundreds and two fifties. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz made an impressive Test debut in Rajkot, securing half-centuries in both innings.
During a pre-match press conference before the fourth Test against England in Ranchi, set to commence on Friday, February 23, Rathour discussed the initial achievements of emerging talents like Jaiswal and Sarfaraz.
“It is good for the team but it’s better for them. Once you get to this level and start playing Test cricket, everything said and done, there are nerves, there is some pressure, but if you get a good start, nothing better than that,” the former India opener commented.
“And the young players who have come in the team have got a good start and it feels good. They have cricket intelligence in them, which is again a great sign. It’s a great message, coming from Indian domestic cricket, that the new players are cricket smart,” Rathour added.
India is missing Virat Kohli in the five-match Test series against England, with KL Rahul sidelined due to injury since the first Test. Shreyas Iyer has also been omitted due to a lack of form. The batting coach acknowledged the challenge of not having senior players but expressed confidence in the younger players to maintain their good performances.
“It is tough to miss key players, it’s better for the team if everyone is available but a series like this is a good opportunity for the young players, who have played on these wickets to establish themselves,” Rathour said.
“There is always belief that our domestic cricket is so strong, you are pretty assured that whoever comes has come through after doing good. We don’t know what is going to happen when KL Rahul, Virat Kohli come back in. That is not a concern at the moment,” the 54-year-old commented.
In addition to Sarfaraz, India gave Rajat Patidar his Test debut in the ongoing series, but he has faced dismissals with scores in the single digits in his last three innings.
“He keeps everything very simple” – Rathour views on Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja, the all-rounder, was awarded the Player of the Match for his outstanding all-round performance in Rajkot, his home ground. Rathour commended the experienced cricketer, highlighting Jadeja’s tendency to keep things straightforward.
“He’s always been a really, really good batsman, without any doubt. He keeps everything very simple. There is no complication. He’s not overthinking, he’s not over-analyzing anything.”
“He just does what the team requires at that stage and that goes for his bowling and batting both. So, I think it’s a great asset that he has. Keeping it really simple and executing his plans,” Rathour said.
Jadeja registered a century in the initial innings of the Rajkot Test and later secured five wickets as England faced a challenging 557-run target.
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