Dublin: India will continue to experiment with their middle order in the Twenty20 games against Ireland and England, captain Virat Kohli said after the team made a winning start to a lengthy tour on Wednesday.
India shuffled their middle order in their 76-run victory over Ireland, allowing the likes of Suresh Raina and all-rounder Hardik Pandya to bat up the order.
“Look, we’ve already announced we will experiment with the middle-order a lot,” the 29-year-old told reporters.
“Even in the next few T20 games, even in England, we will look to throw in guys and surprise the opposition.” “We’re going to give everyone a go in this series. The management and me as captain decided it.”
India also have Lokesh Rahul and wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik in their ranks who are certain to play in the remaining Twenty20 matches against the Irish and the English.
Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who picked up 3-38 Wednesday, suggested that the team did not read too much into England’s unbeaten performances in the five-match One day International series and the one-off T20 match against Australia.
“England have scored against Australia, they haven’t scored against us. English spinners have also picked up wickets. So that is also a plus point for us,” the 27-year old said, before quashing claims of wrist spinners guaranteeing success.
“It’s not like wrist spinners are necessary for winning, it is just a recent trend. It is just that the batsmen are mentally more under pressure against wrist spinners and variation.”
Kuldeep Yadav, who received the Player of the Match award for his 4/21, said: “I think the wicket was good to bat on and was turning a bit,” going on to add: “The wristspinners get more turn and use variations. If you’re bowling in the right areas and using variations, it will be difficult for any team.”
Chahal agreed. “When I bowled the first over, the ball was turning outside off. I did give away two extra sixes but this is a good experience on my first tour of England and Ireland.”
Ireland’s captain Gary Wilson was surprised by the amount of turn, and conceded that he could have used spin more when India were batting. Off-spinner Paul Stirling was Ireland’s most economical bowler, but was given just two overs.
“I did not expect it to spin like it did in the second innings,” he said. “Possibly, I could have bowled the spinners more. In hindsight, that’s always the thing, isn’t it?”
India will play their final Twenty20 against Ireland on Friday before taking on England in a three-match series starting July 3.
