Former Indian spinner Murali Kartik has urged captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir to have open discussion with dropped players during the Asia Cup. In the opening game against the UAE, Arshdeep Singh was not played despite being India’s most successful T20I bowler.

Furthermore, Sanju Samson was picked in the final XI but he didn’t open the innings with Abhishek Sharma as vice-captain Shubman Gill took the opening slot with the left-hander. 

Kartik reckons it is imperative for the team’s think tank to keep their players in high spirit. The former left-arm spinner said if Samson is playing out of his comfortable opening position, he should not feel the pressure of getting dropped if he doesn’t perform.

Kartik told Cricbuzz, “That is what Rohit managed to create with the players. Because he backed you to the hilt and told you upfront where you stood and I think that is something Surya and Gautam Gambhir have to do with all their players. 12. I hope that happens with Sanju as well. Because if he is giving up the spot where he has been most successful because you want to fit Shubman in, and if he bats down and doesn’t have a great time, there should not be an axe on his head.”

On the other hand, India registered a thumping nine-wicket win against the UAE as they chased down 58 runs off just 4.3 overs. Kartik said it was a walk in the park for the potent Indian team.

“I don’t think we need to read into anything from today’s game. It just felt like a glorified net session. It was a walk in the park. I think they would have put more thought into a net session than what they did today. They’ve just cantered to the win,” said Kartik.

India will next take on arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, on Sunday.