India won the second T20I comfortably at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on November 20, Sunday. Suryakumar Yadav played marvellous innings of 111 runs from 51 balls with 11 fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 217.65. He was also awarded the Player of the Match award for his brilliant innings, and India won the fixture by 65 runs.
Despite, such a big victory, former New Zealand player Simon Doull highlighted a major concern, which he discussed with Hardik Pandya as well. Doull mentions what former legends of the sport like Anil Kumble, and Michael Vaughan has talked about India after a disappointing end to their 20-20 World Cup campaign earlier this month.
While speaking on air during the 2nd T20I on Sunday, Doull said that “genuine batters” like Shreyas Iyer should learn how to bowl to give his captain an extra bowling option during matches.
I want to see more bowling options: Pandya
“That has always been the problem. When Hardik was injured…what do we do next? I mean, Shardul did a great job in the Test series in Australia. These guys around will do. But I am talking about the genuine batters. Shreyas Iyer. Why is he not bowling a lot of off-spin? Not that there are any shortage of spinners in Indian team to go and learn how to bowl off spin. Why is he not doing it. That is my question around the situation. These young guys need to know what there future is,” said Doull.
Hardik, who did not bowl in the second T20I, said that he expects his batters to step up with the bowl in the future. “I have bowled a lot, going forward I want to see more bowling options. Not always that this will work but I want more batters to chip in with the ball,” he said in the post-match presentation.
The first T20I between India and New Zealand was abandoned due to rain. The third and the last T20I will be played at McLean Park, Napier, on Tuesday. India is leading the three-match T20I series 1-0 and will be looking for a clean sweep in the next match.
