Abhishek Sharma’s strategic batting in the ‘V’ area, scoring 55 runs, impressed former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan. Pathan noted the shift in Sharma’s usual playing style towards the front, with most runs coming through the mid-on to mid-off region. He also highlighted the pitch conditions and Zimbabwe’s subpar bowling during the match.
Pathan supported India’s decision to have a left-right batting combination at the top order but expressed reservations about Ishan Kishan batting at number three. He mentioned the team’s strategy to avoid consecutive left-handers coming in to bat, which proved effective against Zimbabwe.
Reflecting on Arshdeep Singh’s performance of 3-24, Pathan praised the left-arm pacer’s consistent line and length bowling. He commended Singh’s ability to set up batsmen effectively by targeting the stumps and delivering yorkers when needed. Pathan compared Singh’s pitch reading skills to Jasprit Bumrah’s, emphasizing his promising performance.
Tilak Varma, who scored an unbeaten 44, shared his approach after being moved to the middle order. Varma focused on sticking to basics and regaining confidence through self-analysis and support from his family. He mentioned a pre-game discussion among the batters to maintain an aggressive yet flexible batting approach based on team requirements and match situations.
Sanjay Bangar, former India batting coach, lauded Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett for his resilient 97-run innings. Bangar admired Bennett’s determination to stay at the crease and his improved aggression in chasing big scores. He drew parallels between Bennett’s batting style and that of Cheteshwar Pujara, highlighting Bennett’s potential as a key player for Zimbabwe’s cricketing future.
