Abhinav Mukund wants the Indian opener to build a good partnership in the fourth T20I against the West Indies. The final match of the five-match series will be played on Saturday, August 12 in Lauderhill, Florida. Hardik Pandya and Co., who reduced the deficit to 1-2 by winning the third T20I in Guyana on Tuesday, will have to register. A two-match victory in the United States clinched the series.
While previewing the fourth T20I on JioCinema, Mukund was asked about India’s expectation of a change in approach.
He replied:
“With the last two games being played in Florida, it’s historically been a high-scoring venue and it should also give a lot more confidence to someone like a Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. I think the opening pair has not fired throughout this T20I series. I would love to see a change at the top where we go 60 or 70 for no loss.”
The former Indian batsman pointed out that while the Men in Blue’s middle order has done well, their openers are weak.
He elaborated:
“I think that’s where I would like to see a change. Attacking middle-order batters have been good in this particular series. Suryakumar Yadav has come onto his own. You have got Tilak Varma in the runs but the start is where India have been lacking and in Florida, with a better wicket, you would expect that these two openers will fire.”
Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill added five and 16 runs respectively in the first two T20Is. Yashasvi Jaiswal was replaced in the third game but the move did not change the result as the Mumbai opener was dismissed with only six runs on the board.
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“India Should Be A Little Worried About Shubman Gill’s Form” – Abhinav Mukund
Abhinav Mukund was also asked whether India should be worried about Shubman Gill’s form, to which he replied:
“India should be a bit concerned about Shubman Gill’s form this series but that being said, he is a quality player and I am sure he will figure it out. I feel he is getting into too much of a shell and then playing an attacking shot and getting dismissed.”
Abhinav Mukund, however, is confident of the Gujarat Titans opener making a comeback in the runs. They said:
“Unfortunately for Shubman Gill, he hasn’t had a score but there is not too much to worry about it as far as I am concerned because we have seen in the IPL how he is able to progress and score big hundreds and be the anchor that India needs at the top of the order. I am sure Shubman Gill will fire.”
RP Singh also feels that the Indian team will already be worried about Shubman Gill’s form. He observed that the stylish batsman needed to adjust his game according to the conditions as he would not find Indian type of wickets everywhere.
