After securing victories against the West Indies in the Test and ODI series, Team India aimed to add the T20I trophy to their triumphs. Led by Hardik Pandya, a team of emerging talents took the field, but it was the West Indies, under the leadership of Rovman Powell, who emerged victorious, clinching the five-match series 3-2. The hosts displayed superior performance throughout the series, while the Indian batsmen struggled against the Windies’ bowling attack.
On the other side, in-form Nicholas Pooran posed a challenge for the Indian bowlers, earning him the Player of the Series award. Among the positive takeaways for India was the remarkable performance of Tilak Varma, who accumulated 173 runs in five games. Varma’s impressive showing has garnered the attention of numerous experts, fueling discussions about his potential inclusion in the upcoming Asia Cup and World Cup squads.
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However, concerns have arisen about India’s future in T20Is, particularly when established players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are not part of the lineup. Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh expressed his views on the matter, emphasizing the importance of learning from the loss to the West Indies for the young squad.
In a recent YouTube video, Harbhajan Singh stressed that the reign of Kohli and Rohit in the format may not last indefinitely. He urged emerging talents to seize opportunities and deliver exceptional performances, considering the changing dynamics of the team.
“I didn’t pay much heed to the West Indies series, thinking that India will win. But the results of the T20Is surprised many, including me. A team that didn’t even qualify for the world cup has beaten India. It’s a great achievement for West Indies but a huge concern for India,” Harbhajan Singhcommented in the video.
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He continued, “It doesn’t matter if Kohli or Rohit were not there, they won’t stay for long. But this young brigade that had toured West Indies has to learn a lot from this. I previously said that India can make 2-3 teams, and they still can, but the results are yet to reflect.”
As India gears up for the upcoming Asia Cup, a 3-match T20I series against Ireland awaits, commencing in Dublin on Friday. Jasprit Bumrah has been entrusted with the captaincy, leading a promising group of young talents against a strong Irish side.
