Former Pakistan cricketer, Salman Butt, recently expressed his observations about the Indian Cricket Team’s struggles against spin in the ODIs. He highlighted the team’s traditional strength against slow bowlers, but also noted that their control in dealing with spinners seems to have waned.
As India competes in the ongoing white-ball series against West Indies, they faced questions about their middle-order woes and struggles against spinners, despite winning the ODI series 2-1. The team’s experiments with new players brought mixed results, with some struggling in the middle phase against spinners.
With the Asia Cup 2023 and ICC World Cup 2023 looming ahead, Salman Butt emphasized the need for India to address these issues promptly. He criticized the constant changes in the team on every tour and called for a clear plan and a well-defined squad ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
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In a video on his YouTube channel, Salman Butt urged India to establish a settled squad and ensure each player knows their role before the World Cup. He suggested that if players need rest or if the team wants to test different combinations, it should be done by sending an A team instead of disrupting the first XI. Butt pointed out that players like Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, and Shubman Gill have already shown their potential with impressive performances in ODIs and IPL.
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Salman Butt also shared his verdict on the Indian combination for the World Cup, suggesting the inclusion of Ajinkya Rahane in the middle order for his solid performances in the IPL and Tests. He emphasized the importance of experience and proposed having Shikhar Dhawan in the team as well, praising Dhawan’s abilities as an opener.
Butt emphasized that having experienced players like Dhawan and Rahane would provide stability and composure during high-pressure moments in the tournament. He mentioned that India needs a reliable batsman at no.5/6, suggesting either KL Rahul or Ajinkya Rahane for the crucial role.
Ajinkya Rahane has been out of the ODI side since 2018 but has impressed with his performances in domestic cricket and the IPL. Shikhar Dhawan, who was dropped from the ODI squad due to poor form, has seen Shubman Gill take over as an impressive opener.