New Delhi:
The Indian cricket team is focusing on youth power as they prepare for Mission 2020, which is the World T20 in 2020 in Australia. Following the end of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, skipper Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri have focused on injecting some youth power in the squad as they look to win an ICC title in the next two years. The next two major ICC events are World T20s in 2020 and 2021 in Australia and India respectively and India will be determined to break their recent knock-out jinx and win a major trophy under Kohli and Shastri's tenure. The series against South Africa is seen as the first step in trying to figure out who will slot in the squad.
With India taking an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three-match series against South Africa, India opener Shikhar Dhawan has said maintaining open communication channels with youngsters is key in developing their confidence. Speaking in the pre-match press conference before the third and final Twenty20 International which will be played at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore, Dhawan stressed, "For senior players like us, say someone like Rishabh comes in to bat or Shreyas coming in, we make sure we do the communication with them and make sure they are comfortable and not nervous. We make them think what is needed at that particular moment. That's what we do even when I am batting with Rohit or Virat, we keep discussing and that is very important. Communication is very, very important. Any time any youngster wants to discuss something with us, we are always there for them."
Dhawan hailed Deepak Chahar's contributions in the Mohali ODI and also hailed Washington Sundar's fortitude in opening the bowling in the powerplay overs as a spinner. Chahar was the star in India's seven-wicket win in Mohali as he took 2/22 in four overs and it included the wickets of Reeza Hendricks and Temba Bavuma. Sundar, in particular, has been impressive ever since he started opening the bowling in the powerplay while playing for Rising Pune Supergiant in the Indian Premier League.
Also Read | Dhawan, Samson Help India A To 4-1 Series Win Over South Africa A
"Washington is bowling really good, giving us the breakthroughs and also choking the batsmen. He has got very good control and variety as well. Even Deepak Chahar, he swings the ball both ways and at the same has pace as well. It is the perfect platform for them to perform and build the confidence for the T20 World Cup," Dhawan said while hailing the attitude of both players.
Also Read | Shikhar Dhawan Added To India A Squad For Last Two Games Vs South Africa A
India will be gunning to continue their domination in limited overs cricket against South Africa. After the washout in Dharamshala, India have taken an unassailable lead in the series thanks to a win in Mohali but at Bangalore, they have a mixed record in four games having won two and lost two.
