India failed to qualify beyond the first round of the T20 World Cup 2021 after losses at the hands of Pakistan and New Zealand.
HIGHLIGHTS
- India are currently playing a T20I series against South Africa
- India couldn’t qualify beyond the first round in the 2021 T20 WC
- Gambhir didn’t pick KL Rahul and Virat Kohli
Former left-handed batter Gautam Gambhir picked Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav as Team India’s top three batters for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. Kishan wasn’t in great form in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL), but has looked impressive for the Men in Blue in the ongoing five-match T20I series against South Africa.
Even as Gambhir backed Kishan to open with skipper Rohit Sharma, he selected Suryakumar Yadav to bat at No.3 in the multi-nation mega event.
“Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma to open, and Suryakumar Yadav at number 3 for me,” Gambhir was quoted as saying on Star Sports.
Gambhir didn’t pick KL Rahul and former national skipper Virat Kohli for the top three slots. Kohli hasn’t been in the greatest of forms and he was rested from the series against the Proteas. Rahul, on the other hand, was in pretty decent touch for the Lucknow Super Giants before being ruled out of the series against the Proteas.
Gambhir also sounded a little worried about Yuzvendra Chahal’s form. On Sunday, June 12, Chahal finished with figures of 4-0-49-1 as India lost the second T20I to South Africa by four wickets.
“Even if you give 50 runs in 4 overs, then you need to get 3 wickets to be in a situation to help your team win. But if you give 40 or 50 in 4 overs and get only a wicket, it’s a problem,” he added.
Having conceded a 0-2 lead to Temba Bavuma and Co, India will head to their first must-win encounter on Tuesday, June 14.