Xtra Time Web Desk: Mahela Jayawardene, the former Sri Lankan cricketer believes that there are certain problems in the Indian Sqaud that’s need to fixed before the T20 World Cup 2022. Absence of Ravindra Jadeja, ahead of the tournament, can be a massive loss for the team. He said “It is a challenge. They had fitted him nicely in that No.5 role. Jadeja has been batting really well and Hardik Pandya being in that top six – two guys who can give that all-round options – gave India much more flexibility in that batting order. It is a tough one for them, and probably a concern not having that left-hander. They’ve switched to leaving out Dinesh Karthik and bringing in Rishabh Pant in that role, batting at 5 or 4. Those are things they have to settle going into the World Cup.”
On the other hand, he feels Virat Kohli’s return to form was very important ahead of the World Cup. He said “Virat was there and thereabouts pretty much. He just didn’t have that big score under his belt to get that confidence, especially in white-ball cricket, which is always going to happen. There were a few injury concerns in the last 12 months. He had little niggles and they rested him and India kept on giving people rest, with the workload that they had. So not having that consistent run also makes it tough. In the Asia Cup he batted well, showed what he is capable of, especially in that batting position. Going forward for India, having that stability in that line-up and having confidence that a guy like Virat is going to be a factor, is going to be a concern for the opposition as well. It’s good to see him batting like that. We need all these brilliant players to be at their best form in a World Cup, and that’s what the World Cup deserves as well. It will be a fascinating World Cup in Australia.”
Jayawardena also shared his thoughts about Jasprit Bumrah. “For me the way they played, the skills, the talent, everything is there. They just need a little bit of confidence with the bat, with the ball and in the field. These are little things that India will want to improve. It’s just the confidence of bowlers being able to get wickets and then executing skills. Obviously, not having Jasprit was also a factor. He fills a big gap for them with the new ball and at the back end. That will settle them as well when he is back in Australia. World Cups are about momentum, World Cups are about playing your best cricket at the right time. So as long as they lift their game up to that level, I think India has the quality of players who can do that.”
T20 World Cup will commence from 16th October, 2022 in Australia.