Indian skipper Shubman Gill believes that he gets to play the combination that he wants in the ODI World Cup in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. Notably, the mainstays like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya missed the home ODI series against the West Indies, which India won by 2-1.
Speaking to reporters after India’s five-wicket defeat to the West Indies in the third and final ODI in New Chandigarh, Gill asserted that there is not much time to experiment and is hopeful of getting the mainstay players in the next series.
“I think there is not much time to experiment. The combination that we want to play, hopefully, we get all the players that are available from the next series, and we would like to start playing with the combination that we want in the World Cup,” Gill told reporters.
In Bumrah and Hardik’s absence, India have opted for Auqib Nabi and Anshul Kamboj for ODI debuts despite their limited white-ball stats. While Nabi leaked 84 runs in 8.4 overs on a batting paradise in Guwahati, Kamboj conceded 82 runs in nine overs in New Chandigarh. However, Gill backed the bowling duo to feature in the World Cup plans.
“Anshul and Auqib are the kind of players who are going to be in the mix a lot. Anshul can bat at number 8. And that number is very crucial for us. We don’t know who will be fit at the World Cup. And if we want someone who can bowl and can bat a bit at number 8, Anshul and even Auqib can do the job,” Gill added.
“They would have liked to have done a much better job. But it’s a little bit harsh on them. It’s not easy to come and be able to deliver straight away. In international cricket, sometimes you require a bit of time. I hope that they learn from their mistakes, from the opportunities that they get,” Gill concluded.
