Team India began their new year with a convincing win against Sri Lanka beating them by seven wickets at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. Currently, the Men in Blues are auditioning for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia. Speaking of the same, skipper, Virat Kohli has identified one surprise package who can stun the opposition with express pace and bounce.
Meanwhile, speaking of the game, the fast bowlers bowled well in tandem to restrict Sri Lanka to 142 after opting to bowl first. Shardul Thakur used the opportunity to perfection returning with three for 23 while Navdeep Saini and returning Jasprit Bumrah claimed two and one wickets each respectively. On the other, Kuldeep Yadav also looked after a long time picking two wickets as the visitors didn”t get going with the bat. A brisk start from the top-order followed by Wanindu Hasaranga”s 10-ball 16 helped the Islanders to register 142 runs.
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It looked like a one-sided affair in the half-way stage, and it turned out to be one with KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan adding 71 runs for the first wicket. Rahul, in particular, looked fluent with the bat hitting the gaps with ease while Dhawan matched up to opening partner after looking a bit edgy in the first few overs. Although Rahul departed five short of his fifty, Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli ensured India sail past the target with ease to take an unassailable lead with only one match to go.
Kohli was all in praise of his fast bowlers while speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony. He hailed Navdeep Saini, who has grown in strength since he made his debut. Virat Kohli also admitted that he is happy to have Jasprit Bumrah back in the mix.
“Navdeep has come into the ODI circuit as well; he is gaining more confidence in T20 cricket. You can really see him letting himself go. When he does that, he can clock those speeds which he did. It”s great to see him getting people out with yorkers and bouncers and with pace. It”s a really good sign for the team. Really pleased to have Jasprit back in the side. He”s bowling with pace again,” Kohli said.
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Speaking about the big ICC T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli said that they need to identify one talent who can be a surprise package. Meanwhile, India haven”t won any ICC tournament in the last seven years, and their only T20 win came during the inaugural competition in 2007. This team will be keen to break the shackles this time around and bring the prestigious trophy home.
“You”ll have to figure out who are the people that are very similar in their bowling skills, and you pick the senior one. I think one guy will be a surprise package going to Australia, someone who can bowl with pace and has bounce. Prasidh Krishna has done well in the domestic arena as well. This group of bowlers, it is a great luxury to have in all formats. Looking at the big World Cup, we have enough options,” Kohli concluded.