‘Don’t rush them in’: Sunil Gavaskar sends warning to BCCI over two promising India all-rounders originally appeared on Cricket News.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Sunil Gavaskar has urged patience with India‘s next generation of all-rounders.
- He highlighted RCB‘s Venkatesh Iyer and Suryansh Shedge of PBKS as promising fast-bowling all-rounders.
- Gavaskar also stressed the need for them to improve their bowling.
Gavaskar urges BCCI not to rush Venkatesh Iyer and Suryansh Shedge into India team
Several promising names for the next set of pace-bowling all-rounders in India have emerged in recent times, with Nitish Kumar Reddy already being part of the Indian side.
Recently, Nitish proved himself with three wickets in the second T20I game against Afghanistan in New Delhi, and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar had a look at some more promising young all-rounders that India needs to consider.
Among these young all-rounders, Gavaskar picked Venkatesh Iyer and Suryansh Shedge.
“Venkatesh Iyer, Suryansh Shedge, these are all promising all-rounders, and they have to be given the opportunity to develop. Don’t rush them in,” Gavaskar said on Sony Sports Network.
“Develop them and also, at the same time, encourage them when they don’t have a good match,” he added.
Both these players can play important roles with the ball along with their batting skills, but according to Gavaskar, their growth is of utmost importance, rather than getting international experience right away.
The comments come as India looks for more pace-bowling all-rounders, with Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy currently among the leading options.
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Gavaskar points to Nitish’s development as a lesson for India
BCCI/Creimas
Nitish was basically a batter when he joined the IPL, but slowly and steadily he improved as a bowler and started showing his worth as an all-rounder.
“When he (Nitish) started in the IPL, he wasn’t much of a bowler then, in that first year before he went to Australia. He was more of a batter. The batting technique was very good. He bowled a couple of overs towards the end of that first season, and that’s where he looked as if he could be a very fine all-round cricketer,” Gavaskar explained.
Having leaked 30 runs in just two overs in the first T20 match against Afghanistan, Nitish recovered his form as he took three wickets for only 24 runs in the second match.
The former Indian skipper further advised budding all-rounders to pay more attention towards their bowling.
“Help them and encourage them (Iyer and Shedge) to take their bowling a little more seriously because they are primarily in the team as batters,” he added.
“Sometimes, when you are in the team primarily as a batter, you tend to think like a batter. If they start to think a little bit like bowlers, they will be absolutely fantastic, and India will then have more options”
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Why India should take its time with Iyer and Shedge
India requires quality pace-bowling all-rounders but there is no need to force every talented player to play in international cricket.
Nitish’s case is an example of how bowlers require time. Even when he started playing for the Indian team, his bowling required him to learn lessons after tough performances. His performance against Afghanistan revealed the importance of giving a player some time to cope with such difficulties.
It should be the same for Iyer and Shedge. As soon as the selectors notice their international potential, they should concentrate on building their skills rather than forcing them to make their India debut as soon as possible.
All-rounders have to perform well in two aspects and this is why India does not have any reason to hurry.
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