The display of clean-hitting by this new-look line up – in the post Rohit and Virat Kohli era – bodes well for the team with the next ICC T20 World Cup just over a year from now. (PTI)
Sanju Samson at the top of the order, a replacement for the now-retired Rohit Sharma, worked like a dream on Saturday in Hyderabad against Bangladesh as he scored the second fastest T2o International century by an Indian. Only Rohit, who announced retirement from T20s after the World Cup win, in 35 deliveries has done it quicker than Samson’s 40. Like Rohit, Samson is a rare batsman who blends power and grace effectively. He doesn’t play the hook and pull as effortlessly as Rohit but has a good all-round hitting arc to hurt bowlers.
On Friday, Samson’s hitting straight down the ground was wonderful to watch. He smashed 30 runs off leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, five of his eight sixes coming off this one over.
Yet, the beauty of this team is that they are not dependent on Samson to keep the strike-rate sky high. None of the top-7 batsmen, including all-rounders old and new – Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy – don’t need to get their eye in before targeting the stands. There was no over during Friday’s game when India seemed to have slowed down or there was a lack of intent. Everyone was ready to smash from the word go, the fear of failure non-existent.
India posted 297 for 6, the highest score in a T20 International by a Test playing nation. Once Samson was dismissed, India added 101 runs in 38 balls.
The display of clean-hitting by this new-look line up – in the post Rohit and Virat Kohli era – bodes well for the team with the next ICC T20 World Cup just over a year from now.
Samson, with a strike rate of 236.17, hit the most number of sixes, but equally dangerous were Hardik Pandya (261.11) and Riyan Parag (261.53). Add to the power of these three batsmen, the talent of the ever-reliable and unconventional Suryakumar Yadav, the best T20 batsman since AB de Villers, and it is not surprising that bowlers are seen literally scratching their heads wondering where to bowl.
If Parag, lower down the order, can keep playing these cameos, he along with Samson will be the key pieces in the jigsaw as India puts together a team capable of defending the T20 World title.
Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy didn’t hardly get time in the middle, but both are new-age hitters with no respect for a bowler’s reputation.
Australia, England and South Africa and before them West Indies have pushed the limits of T20 batting. Now, India seems to have the core of a team capable of matching the best.
Point to note: IPL’s wunderkid Abhishek Sharma had an off day making just 4 off 4 when opening the innings alongside Samson.
