Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has weighed in on the Men in Blue’s selection choices for the third ODI against South Africa in Vizag. Pathan believes that India should have stuck with Washington Sundar for the final game to maintain consistency in team selection throughout the series.
Sundar, who had not made much of an impact with bat or ball in the first two ODIs, was replaced by Tilak Varma in the line-up. Varma, who was expected to bat at No. 5, did not get a chance to bat as India chased down 271 with ease. However, his off-spin leaked 29 runs from his three overs.
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Pathan reflected on India’s performance in the series and praised the bowlers for stepping up in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. He highlighted Prasidh Krishna’s performance in the series-decider, emphasizing the importance of backing players before passing judgment.
Pathan expressed his belief that Sundar should have been retained for the third ODI and that Varma, if included from the first match, should have been given all three games to prove himself. He stressed the need for consistency in selection to accurately assess players’ performances.
Despite Krishna’s expensive outings in the first two matches, the right-arm pacer delivered a game-changing spell in the final game, finishing with figures of 4 for 66 to restrict South Africa to 270.
Pathan also praised KL Rahul’s captaincy, highlighting his versatility and experience in guiding the team to victory. He commended Rahul’s tactical acumen and ability to rotate bowlers effectively during crucial moments in the game.
Overall, Pathan lauded India for their series win over South Africa and highlighted the positives they can take away from the performance. He emphasized the importance of Rahul’s leadership as the team looks ahead to the upcoming World Cup.
With the Asian Giants securing their third consecutive ODI series victory over South Africa, Pathan sees a bright future for the Indian team and believes they are on the right track heading into future competitions.
