Former Indian Sunil Gavaskar feels Team India were not impressive on the field in the recently-concluded T20 World Cup, which became one of the reasons for their exit from the tournament’s semi-final stage as well. He again added that India needs good fielders who can do well on the field by stopping fours, taking catches, and doing runouts to restrict opponents as well.

In his Mid-Day column, Gavaskar wrote: “What the World Cup did show for India is that there is nothing like good fielding to be successful in this format of the game. Yes, of course every team needs top batsmen, explosive finishers and skillful bowlers who can withstand the pressure of a relentless opposition but if the team doesn’t have good fielders who will stop the boundaries, take exceptional catches, effect stunning run outs, the team will struggle in crunch games.”

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With several veteran Indian players rested for the upcoming T20Is against New Zealand, Gavaskar stated that youngsters should step up to take over the reins from seniors in the shortest format as well. The likes of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli have been rested for the white-ball series in New Zealand also. However, Hardik Pandya-led Team India will play three T20Is & three ODIs in New Zealand in November. The three-match T20I series begins in Wellington on November 18 and it will then shift to Mount Maunganui (November 20) and Napier (November 22) for the second and third T20Is as well.

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“It’s a wonderful opportunity for some of the youngsters in the team to New Zealand to show that they are ready to take over the mantle from the seniors, some of whom will no doubt be considering their future in this format of the game. The thing about this format of the game is that since it’s just a 20 overs a side,” Sunil Gavaskar concluded.

India’s squad for T20Is: Hardik Pandya (C), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (VC and WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Mohd. Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umran Malik.