Irfan Pathan wants India to groom left-arm pacers for T20 World Cup 2022
Team India is enjoying a great run in the T20 format at the moment. The side has won 12 consecutive matches in the shortest format with the latest being the 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka at home. Prior to this, they also defeated New Zealand and West Indies in the three-match series while the earlier three wins came during the T20 World Cup played last year in the UAE.
Under Rohit Sharma‘s leadership, things seem to be falling in place, however, former India cricketer Irfan Pathan feels one piece of this jigsaw puzzle is still missing for the side. He reckons that India will have to start giving chances to left-arm pacers keeping in mind the T20 World Cup later this year in Australia.
He zeroed in on the likes of Khaleel Ahmed, T Natarajan and Chetan Sakariya who are all the left-arm pacers but haven’t played at the highest level for quite some time now. Irfan feels Sakariya could be a decent option to have in the squad if he performs well in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“With all these names (the Indian bowlers already part of the squad), I just want to add another name — that of a left-arm bowler, and that can be whoever performs in the IPL — Khaleel Ahmed, Natarajan or Chetan Sakariya. I know Sakariya is a bit rusty at the moment, but if he performs in the IPL, he will be an option. Left is always right!” he said while speaking on Star Sports.
Natarajan struggling with injuries
The three bowlers Irfan Pathan mentioned have not played for India for various reasons over the last few months. T Natarajan had made his debut sensationally across all formats during the Australia tour of 2020-21 season but repeated injury concerns has kept him away from the national team. Khaleel Ahmed last played for India in November 2019 and has gone down the pecking order.
Chetan Sakariya made his international debut last year on Sri Lanka tour playing two T20Is and one ODI. However, he hasn’t been picked in the team since then.
