Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra highlighted that India didn’t have a sixth bowling option in the first T20I against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club, Harare, on Thursday. Seam-bowling all-rounder Shivam Dube was the fifth option for Shreyas Iyer, whereas Mayank Yadav, Ashok Sharma, Prince Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi were the main bowlers.
Indian bowlers did bowl well as they were able to restrict Zimbabwe to 125-7 after Iyer won the toss and decided to bowl first. Mayank Yadav, who was making a comeback after two years, was the pick of the visitors’ bowlers, returning with figures of 2-18 in his quota of four overs.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh are part-time spinners, but Iyer didn’t give them the ball.
“When the Indian team was selected, only four bowlers were there – Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Ashok Sharma, and Ravi Bishnoi. Who was the fifth? Shivam Dube. Who was the sixth? No one. India made up their mind to play without a sixth bowler,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra added that Shivam Dube’s selection showed the team management has faith in his bowling abilities. Dube returned with figures of 1-32 in his four overs.
“Shivam Dube gave only 32 runs in four overs, and he gets a wicket in his first over these days. A catch was taken in the deep. He being made to bowl four overs and going with only four bowlers means India is investing a lot of faith in Shivam Dube. I think that’s a massive thing,” he observed.
The renowned commentator said India was almost threatening Zimbabwe by playing three genuine fast bowlers in Mayank Yadav, Ashok Sharma and Prince Yadav.
“India decided that they would go with all-out pace, that both Mayank Yadav and Ashok Sharma would play, and that Prince Yadav would also play. It was like threatening them. India started brilliantly with pace,” he said.
The former Delhi cricketer added that it was heartening to see Mayank Yadav and Ashok Sharma bowl at express pace.
“It felt good to see Mayank. He has made it back to the team after a long time, and he was not letting up. He was trying to go close to 150 kph consistently. Ashok Sharma, same thing. It’s not like he was not hit, but went going, and it was heartening to see,” Chopra observed.
The second T20I between India and Zimbabwe will be played at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
