Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar has heaped praise on captain Rohit Sharma for his astute handling of spinners during the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Rohit’s decision to favour Axar Patel over Ravindra Jadeja has paid dividends. Axar’s performances have been commendable, and he has delivered results when it mattered.
Rohit Sharma’s tactical decisions
Bangar highlighted Rohit’s strategic use of Axar on the uneven pitches of New York. When faced with extra bounce, Rohit opted for the taller Axar, who hits the ball higher on the bat. This adaptability showcases Rohit’s captaincy acumen.
Rohit didn’t rely solely on pedigree or reputation. Instead, he chose the bowler most effective for specific surfaces. Axar’s suitability for the conditions played a crucial role in India’s success.
“Credit to the team management that they used horses for courses? Why Jadeja wasn’t really used and why Axar was used on a pitch that had a little bit of bounce? So that’s where the answer lies. If there is extra bounce, Axar is obviously slightly taller. He hits the ball higher on the bat and you have to give credit to Rohit the captain, because he didn’t really go by pedigree or reputation. He went to the bowler who was considered to be most effective or who was likely to be more effective on those surfaces,” Bangar said on Star Sports ahead of India’s first Super 8 clash against Afghanistan.
Cricket legends #PiyushChawla & #SanjayBangar analyse #TeamIndia's potential bowling combination, as they head into the Super 8 after tonight's clash against Canada! 💪🏼💯
Which bowling unit will prevail in this clash of pacers versus spinners, as the #MeninBlue take on #Canada… pic.twitter.com/yMCZY27LXg
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 15, 2024
Bangar explained that India trusted the combination of finger spinners due to the slow and low pitches in the West Indies. This calculated approach reflects Rohit’s understanding of match conditions.
“So, I think the Indian team’s campaign has been pretty spot on. Let’s hope that, in these conditions, finger spin is going to be effective. Because if you look at the West Indies team and they know these conditions better than any other team because they play so much cricket out here, are they using Akeal Hossein and Gudakesh Motie,” Bangar concluded.
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