Team India have struggled due to the lack of extra bowling options in one-day internationals in the last couple of years. In the wake of it, Rajkumar Sharma has stated that batters like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should start chip in with 3-4 overs each to provide the right balance in the squad.
With the absence of regular all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, the team balance has been impacted massively. In the recent ODI series against South Africa, India tried Venkatesh Iyer but his performance was not up to the mark.
As India continue to search for the right balance, Rajkumar Sharma has asserted that batters need to step in with the ball. Virat Kohli’s childhood coach also cited the example of the role played by Yuvraj Singh in the 2011 World Cup.
“Yuvraj Singh was very useful. He was a match-winner with the bat but he used to chip in with the ball and pick up crucial wickets. India need someone like Yuvraj Singh in the middle-order,” Rajkumar said on Khelneeti Podcasts.
“Unfortunately, none of our frontline batters bowl. Virat and Rohit used to bowl earlier, so if they can start chipping in with 3-4 overs, it would provide better balance to the side,” he added.
Important to have a batter who can contribute with the ball – Rajkumar Sharma
The veteran also highlighted the impact a non-regular bowler can have at times against oppositions, who only have specific plans in place for regular bowlers.
“It is very important to have a batter who can contribute with the ball in one-day cricket. There are days when one of your regular bowlers is not in rhythm and leaks runs. On such days, the captain can have the option of getting 3-4 overs out of a non-regular bowler. Sometimes, an opponent can also target a specific bowler. He could be a newcomer or someone under pressure,” he added.
