Colombo: India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey has backed Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devdutt Padikkal to do well in the next match, saying there is no pressure on them and the team management will give full leeway to the batting pair. Gaekwad and Padikkal failed to convert their starts in India’s debut match during the second T20 International against Sri Lanka here on Wednesday.
While Ruturaj was dismissed for 21 off 18 balls, third-ranked Padikkal was dismissed for 29 off 23 balls as India lost the match by four wickets. When asked what the team management would tell the two, Mhambrey said, “When you are going to make your debut for your country, it is always terrifying and we know that. The discussion is always about giving them a free hand, there is no pressure on them.”
“Obviously the situation was like this… we knew that in terms of batting, we only had five or six batsmen, that we could plan and take the game forward, so we focused on them. “There were no such instructions on how to play, yes they will be disappointed, but they will get every chance to represent the country, they will learn,” he said in a virtual press conference.
For the record, two national selectors Debashish Mohanty and Abe Kuruvilla accompany the team to the island nation. Coming into bat, India were reduced to 132 for 5 with skipper Shikhar Dhawan top score with 40. The hosts then chased down the target with four wickets and two balls to spare, with Dhananjay de Silva scoring an unbeaten 40. .
After Krunal Pandya tested positive for COVID-19 and subsequently isolated eight of his close contacts, there was much uncertainty about whether the second game would go ahead. “Rahul (Dravid) was constantly in touch with the BCCI officials. We were told that, let’s see, whatever decision is taken, we will be informed, so we went ahead with our preparations anyway,” Mhambrey said.
Kuldeep Yadav seems to have regained his mojo during the current tour and Mhambrey described the chinaman as an “extremely talented bowler” and credited him for executing the plans. “He (Kuldeep) is a very thinking bowler,” Mhambrey said of the spinner, who took four wickets in the three limited-overs matches he played during the tour.
“They’re a lot of discussions during the period that we spent together before the games, watching videos, discussing plans, and it all boils down to execution. So the credit should be given to them,” Mhambrey said. Kuldeep will have to work hard to retain his place in the team.
“…he’s been in and out of the team for a while now, which he knows, he also knows he needs to work hard to maintain his position, seeing what he’s doing Very happy,” he said.
“And I am very happy with the results he is getting. I am sure he will take a lot of positivity from it as the T20 World Cup is also near and it increases his chances of being a part of the team.”
The former India pacer, who has witnessed the journey of many young players of the team as bowling coach of the India A team, also expressed happiness over their progress.
“Very happy with his performance and I have seen him over the years when I was associated with him, he has been a part of the India A set up for some time and very happy with the way he has progressed.
“Obviously he had a lot of potential and that is why he is representing the country.
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