Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif has urged that seamer Arshdeep Singh replace the injured Washington Sundar in the second ODI against New Zealand. The match is slated for Wednesday, January 14 in Rajkot.
Sundar sustained a rib injury during the first ODI in Vadodara on January 11 and has been ruled out, while Ayush Badoni has received his first call up. During a conversation on his YouTube channel on January 12, Kaif stated that the squad may consider Badoni as a comparable substitute for Sundar, but he would like the youngster to watch from the bench and understand how things work in international cricket.
However, the 45-year-old stated that the management’s policy of wanting batting depth down to No. 8 may work against Arshdeep Singh. Kaif said:
“I feel that if he (Ayush) is given a chance after a little wait, it would be good. But because India are looking for an all-rounder, they could also push Ayush there. However, I feel if you also push Arshdeep Singh, having four fast bowlers and batting up to number seven, it won’t be a bad option on a good pitch.”
Mohammad Kaif
“If you go for like to like, then you mentioned Badoni’s name there. After that, who is left in the squad? Right now, Jaiswal is sitting out, and who else? Arshdeep Singh is there. So I feel maybe you would want Ayush to sit and let him see how people play at the international level. It will be good for him, just to see how players approach games at the international stage. He is a young player, so I would want Arshdeep Singh to get a chance.”
Mohammad Kaif
Mohammad Kaif continued:
“Jadeja and Kuldeep are already there as two spinners. And in yesterday’s match, as you saw, in January there is a lot of swing. All the wickets fell to fast bowlers. But the main problem will be that this India team needs batting up to number eight. Ashdeep Singh does not contribute with the bat, so in that case, you would want an all-rounder.”
Mohammad Kaif
India will enter the second ODI on a high after winning the first match by four wickets while chasing 301, with Virat Kohli named Player of the Match for his 93-run innings.
“Can see speed and confidence in his bowling” – Mohammad Kaif high praise for India seamer
Kaif also praised India pacer Harshit Rana, who picked up 2/65 in his 10-over spell and made 29 runs for the team in the first ODI. Rana is now bowling with more pace and delivering accurately in the right areas, Kaif says:
“The way I saw him perform in yesterday’s match, I feel that his morale is very high and he is improving as he plays. In yesterday’s match, he took two wickets. He didn’t get much in the first spell, but in the second spell, he dismissed Nicholls with a slower ball, and then Conway. I am noticing that his bowling has gained a bit more pace.”
Mohammad Kaif
“Earlier, he used to bowl slightly short of length and looked a bit nervous. Of course, people on social media and we ourselves have discussed that he was not bowling well and needed to improve while playing, and he did that in yesterday’s match. Batting is a plus, but his primary role is bowling, and taking those two wickets helped the Indian team make a comeback. Otherwise, New Zealand could have scored 350-400 given the strong start and the opening partnership.”
Mohammad Kaif
Mohammad Kaif concluded:
“I can see speed and confidence in his bowling now. The biggest strength of a fast bowler is their belief in themselves, and I was happy to see that in him. The way the ball was carrying and the increase in pace was noticeable. Earlier, he bowled around 130 km/h, but now his deliveries are around 135-138 km/h. There is swing, and he is hitting the right areas. Earlier, he used to bowl mostly back-of-length balls, which batters would often pull or cut. I really liked his bowling. And with the bat, the crucial 29 runs he scored yesterday were a turning point in the match.”
Mohammad Kaif
The 24-year-old has played 12 ODIs for India, collecting 22 wickets at an average of 26.18, a strike rate of 25.9, and an economy of 6.06, with his best figures of 4/39.
