India’s number six conundrum continues ahead of T20 World Cup

The no-result gives South Africa a 2-0 series win and deprived India of a shot at redemption. The boys are also disappointed about it. I am disappointed with the result as anybody would be. “As a unit we have played very little T20 cricket in bilateral series”.

“It’s a young team, we’re still figuring on what will be our best combination, the best way forward”. It has taught me a lot as well going forward into the World Twenty20.

In the first two games in the series which were held in Dharamsala and Cuttack, India lost by seven and six wickets respectively to give the Proteas the series win.

“Asked if leg-spinner Amit Mishra, a part of the T20 squad, was not given a match because of the upcoming One-Day series and Test matches where he might play a pivotal role, Shastri said:” Yes, there’s lot of cricket still to be played.

“We haven’t been playing, one year down the line after playing against England we have only played two matches because there is so much of other cricket happening”, he said.

Shastri was right in pointing at the relative inexperience of the side in Twenty20 Internationals even though the players are well-versed with the format and feature regularly in the Indian Premier League (IPL). “By the time the South Africans leave, we will be a much stronger team”. “So we need to find who suits it the best”. Shastri further said they are trying to unburden Mahendra Singh Dhoni as it is important to get the skipper back in his elements. “But personally, pretty happy with the way I am hitting the ball”, he said.

The showers that fell on Thursday had ceased at least an hour before play was due to begin and three super-soppers were in operation from then on, but the outfield remained soggy.

The abandonment of the game after just a passing evening shower again showed the poor drainage system of the iconic Eden Gardens as the umpires called off the match post their 9:30 pm inspection much to the dismay of the few thousands, who had come to the ground to watch in expectation of an exciting encounter. It is a very crucial position.