Indian batter Hanuma Vihari hailed the team management’s decision to back Kuldeep Yadav ahead of Ravi Bishnoi in the opening T20I against the West Indies. Yadav returned with impressive figures of 2-33 in his quota of four overs in the series opener on Tuesday.
The wrist spinner was expensive in his first two overs but bounced back strongly in the final two overs. Yadav accounted for Roston Chase and Matthew Forde in his spell.
Meanwhile, Ravi Bishnoi was expensive in the Asian Games final against Pakistan as he conceded 44 runs in three overs.
“We know that batting has always been strong. Bowling is the area of concern. I thought it was a great move to keep him (Bishnoi) out and play Kuldeep. He bowled really well. He has been picked for New Zealand as well and finally they are showing trust on him,” Hanuma Vihari said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Vihari praised India’s bowling after the visitors were skittled out for 171 and said the move to back Naman Dhir ahead of Nitish Kumar Reddy was a brave call.
He continued, “I thought India bowled exceedingly well in the first T20I. Playing Naman Dhir over Nitish was a brave call. You can say it was good but definitely Nitish and Dube both deserve more chances. But I can understand they are trying out as many all-rounders in rotation.”
The 32-year-old added the West Indies will need to restrict India under 200 after electing to field first to have any chance to beating the hosts.
“It was a dominating win by India. Going forward, if West Indies want to compete, they have to win the toss firstly. If they bowl first and restrict India within 200, that is the only way they can win. If they bat first, they have to score 240, otherwise I don’t think they will have a chance,” he said.
The second T20I between India and the West Indies will be played at Ranchi on Friday.
