Ahead of the opening match of the T20I series against South Africa, India captain Suryakumar Yadav welcomed the return of Hardik Pandya to the team, saying that the seam-bowling all-rounder’s experience provides crucial balance to the team in preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup. He also made some comments about Sanju Samson.
Suryakumar Yadav on Hardik Pandya
Hardik, who suffered an injury during the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates in September, has now recovered from a quadriceps injury and returns to the team for this series. He is also joined by vice-captain Shubman Gill, who has recovered from a neck injury sustained during the Test match against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata last month. Since Gill was given the vice-captaincy of the T20I team, Sanju Samson has had to bat lower down the order. On the eve of the first T20I of the series, the captain addressed Sanju’s move down the batting order following Gill’s arrival.
On the return of Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill, captain Suryakumar Yadav said, “Both of them are looking healthy and fit. They have come with the team. You saw in the Asia Cup also that when they started bowling with the new ball, they opened up a lot of options and combinations for us regarding the playing XI.”
Gill’s return to open the batting alongside the in-form Abhishek Sharma will help finalize India’s preparations ahead of the T20 World Cup. Suryakumar also explained how India, instead of using Sanju Samson as an opener, has now zeroed in on Gill for that position. Since Gill’s inclusion, Samson has been batting either at number five or three.
Yadav said about Sanju Samson
“With regard to Sanju, when he came on the circuit, he batted in the top order. Now the thing is, apart from the openers, everyone has to be very flexible. He did really well when he opened the innings, but Shubman played before him in the Sri Lanka series and hence he deserved to take that spot,” captain Suryakumar Yadav said at the pre-match press conference.