Speaking to Sports Today on the 10th anniversary of India’s 2011 World Cup triumph, Deep Dasgupta said England find success with their approach because they have the resources to go heavy at the top and continue adopting an aggressive approach throughout the period of 50 overs in ODI cricket.
Stressing that India have players who can switch gears and make up for steady starts at the top, Dasgupta said India are in a very good position when it comes to ODI cricket.
Debate over India’s approach in ODI cricket emerged during the recently-concluded 3-match series. While Virat Kohli had urged India batsmen to be more fearless in their approach in limited-overs cricket, England went ahead with the blueprint that has worked for them well in the recent past.
After failing to chase 317 in the first ODI, England gunned down 337 in just 43.3 overs in the ODI. However, India topped England in the series decider, beating the defending world champions by 7 runs after posting 329 runs in the series decider. India’s modified approach was evident in the 3rd ODI as they kept going for big overs despite losing wickets in batches.
“I think India should play the way India knows to play. There is this tendency just because England plays in a certain manner, going hard at the top, because they also have the resources. But we don’t necessarily have to follow that,” Dasgupta said.
“The players we have, like Shikhar, Rohit and Virat, their strike rate would be around 80 but by the time they play 30-40 balls, their strike would be 120. So it is not necessary, do you have to follow,” he added.
Healthy competition for spots big plus for Team India: Dasgupta
Meanwhile, Dasgupta pointed out that India’s bench strength and healthy competition for different spots in the XI is a welcome sign as they prepare for the 2023 World Cup. The wicketkeeper-batsman highlighted the example of how competition for spots did help Shikhar Dhawan step up and deliver in the 3-match ODI series after the likes of Devdutt Padikkal and Prithvi Shaw scored big in the domestic white-ball tournaments earlier this year.
“I think India are in a very good position as far as ODIs are concerned, they will be in the top 3. And also the heartening thing is the way the youngsters delivered, they are pushing people who are incumbent.
“For example, Shikhar, someone like Padikkal, Shaw scoring those runs in Vijay Hazare Trophy. You already have Mayank (Agarwal), KL (Rahul). There is a healthy competition there. It augurs well for Indian cricket.
“Also, the World Cup is going to happen in 2023 November, even if the World Cup is going to happen tomorrow, India are still one of the favourites to win it. In 2023, things will only get better,” Dasgupta added.
