India cricketer Hanuma Vihari called out the batters for their struggle in the Ireland and England T20I series. After a shocking 0-2 series loss to Ireland, India suffered another blow as they were trashed 4-0 by England in the five-match series.
Highlighting the importance of the ability to adapt to different conditions, citing examples of veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Hanuma Vihari bluntly stated that playing in the IPL on flat tracks and smaller grounds and going on to lose six out of seven matches overseas was a matter of concern.
“The value of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is clearly visible. Would they have gotten out like this to short balls? Don’t be fooled by the IPL. In the IPL, the grounds are smaller, flat wickets, impact player rule, everything is there. When you play an away series, yes, we cannot talk about just one series, but they lost six out of seven games, which is concerning. Definitely, it is an alarm bell,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Hanuma Vihari also slammed the team selection throughout the series and questioned whether the XI was picked by coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Shreyas Iyer, or both together. He also expressed that Iyer must have the majority or power as captain of the team and should be given authority.
“If the team management and selectors do not realise now, it will be too late. Shreyas Iyer as T20 captain in last 14 matches has lost 12 games. He returned to the team after two and a half years and was made captain. Was he given the team he asked for? Or was it Gautam Gambhir who gave the team, or did they take the decision together? If a captain is leading the side, I think at least 70-80% the power should be his. If the desired result does not come after that, then you can question it.”
Following their defeat in the final T20I against England, India also lost their No.1 ranking despite being the world champions.
Hanuma Vihari on the need to develop youngsters going forward
With the 2028 T20 World Cup two years away, Hanuma Vihari urged the team management to build the upcoming players and give them ample opportunities. While India are missing big names like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, he said that they could not be dependent on them always.
“The World Cup is two years away. Yes, a lot of players like Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Nitish Kumar Reddy are missing, but you can’t just rely on them all the time. A new batch of players should come. Give them opportunities. Give them a long rope,” he stated.
India will play Zimbabwe next in a three-match T20I series. Hanuma Vihari warned the Men in Blue that playing Zimbabwe in Harare would not be as easy, calling them dangerous in their own backyard.
“We will see how the next series goes. It is not easy. Zimbabwe at home are a dangerous side. They have tall fast bowlers. They will hit the deck. It will not be easy. The pitch in Harare is slightly conducive for fast bowlers so you will not have 250-260 scores there. To be honest, we should beat them 3-0, but it will not be a cake walk.”
All three games will be played in Harare on July 23, 25, and 26, respectively.
Edited by Rishab Vm