Bangladesh warmed up against India in their only practice match ahead of starting the T20 World Cup with Ireland and it offered a glimpse into what could be the composition of India’s playing eleven for Group A opener.
India overshadowed Bangladesh by 60 runs at New York on Saturday to win their warm-up match employing 12 players from the 15 members squad.
The two names, Kohli and Jaiswal, are expected to form a pair with Rohit Sharma as they decide who will accompany him in opening while Virat Kohli did not play warm up game and neither did Yashasvi Jaiswal. But Sidhu, speaking as a former Indian batsman and Star Sports commentator is sure that these two other gentlemen will open batting for India against Ireland on June 5th.
“Through the practice game it has become apparent that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will open,” said Sidhu on Star Sports despite both Kohli and Jaiswal being absent for India’s innings of first 182/5.
Rohit got out after scoring twenty-three off nineteen balls while Pant was an outstanding performer in Indian batting. His fifty three came off thirty-two balls. Other notable contributions were from Hardik Pandya (40 off 23) and Suryakumar Yadav (31 off 18).
“There are more chances of Shivam Dube playing because he featured (in the warm-up game),” said Sidhu, who possibly reasoned it on the basis that allrounder Dube was utilized both as a batsman and bowler ahead of Axar Patel, who only bowled in the warm-up game.
Going for fourteen runs off sixteen balls, Dube also picked two wickets for thirteen runs in his brilliant spell of three overs. On his part, Axar delivered two overs taking one wicket for ten runs. Arshdeep Singh, the left-arm pacer had the best figures among Indian bowlers with two wickets for twelve runs in three overs.
“One thing is sure: five (specialist) bowlers will play,” Sidhu reckoned.
“If you want to play an extra spinner against Ireland, which should be the case, then it’s very clear that in place of Mohammed Siraj, you will play Yuzvendra Chahal,” Sidhu said, favouring the leg-spinner.
“He concluded that if Kuldeep and Yuzi Chahal bowl in tandem against Ireland, the weakness of opposition makes your strength.”
Group A also has Pakistan, USA and Canada together with India and Ireland.
India’s campaign gets underway against Ireland before playing big game with Pakistan on 9th June at New York City.
Sidhu’s Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav Arshdeep Singh Mohd Siraj/Yuzvendra Chahal.
