Transitions are inevitable but Hardik Pandya has ingredients to be successful: Sangakkara | Cricket News
India will play six white ball games against Sri Lanka in the new year with Pandya replacing Rohit Sharma as captain for T20I starting January 3.
The team is also without KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, which is a sign that Indian cricket will undergo a transition from this series.
“Transition is inevitable. You have to be ready for it all the time. But you need to support the players who get through the system for it to work smoothly,” Sangakkara told PTI during an interaction hosted by Star Sports. , Sri Lanka’s official TV station coming to host. India travel.
“Every side goes through a difficult transition and we’ve seen that in Australia. Have seen it in New Zealand for a considerable amount of time ago, even the UK. So all the These parties are all going through transitions and difficulties are common themes,” he cited the common view. phenomena.
For Lankan legends, it is important to give fresh faces a long rope.
“You have to trust the players you choose, trust them in the long run, give them exposure and exposure to the platform they require, so that they can settle down in international cricket and understand all of that. anything about it.”
Especially for Sri Lanka, the transition has been really difficult since the retirement of the likes of Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
Sangakkara commented: “India has a lot of young players coming up so it’s just a matter of picking the best of them and giving them a longer run.
However, he spoke eloquently about how Pandya followed his captaincy for the Gujarat Titans while serving as a consultant to the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.
“There’s no doubt that his leadership is outstanding and we’ve all seen that at IPL. Now he has to melt that down with the armband on the field at the national level. He has all the qualities to be a leader although you don’t have to be a captain to be a leader.”
But there are aspects of the captaincy that Pandya has to take note of and Sangakkara gave a checklist to the Baroda man.
“Now the captain’s armband on the pitch can be something else. To read the moments, capture the moments and strategize, you have to be sharp, and I think rigid has all the elements to be a good captain.
“The hardest part is inspiring, talking and managing his players in a group that plays together with a vision and the rest will come with experience, commanding in tight matches,” he added.
For India’s new T20 team, Sangakkara will follow Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Sam Son.
“I love watching Ruturaj Gaikwad hit the ball and he is one of those players who can hit the ball accurately but still have a huge impact in T20 cricket and of course Sanju Samson because I want to see Sanju have a long way in this Indian team.
“Because he is a very special player, they have a good mix of players with speed, spin and utility. It will be a tough test for Sri Lanka but in T20 they have tools to suit you.”
The Asian champions in this format are a formidable opponent.
“You have captain Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis. They have a top order that can allow SL to set up big totals.
“A middle and end order of the house of power with captain Shanaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Wanindu Hasaranga arrive. The SL hit the ball deep and we had a spinning combination of Mahesh Theeksana and Hasaranga, topped by the raw pace of Lahiru Kumara and Dilshan Madhusanka.”
Pant needs to work on his hold
Rishabh Pant does not take part in white-ball matches against Sri Lanka and Sangakkara believes that aside from hitting the ball, it is his keeping that ensures progress.
“I think for one person, Rishabh Pant can improve his batting quite a lot. A lot of people just focus on his hitting the ball, and the combination of the two will increase his confidence. believe.
“I know it’s difficult and boring but he can really get good by focusing on the smaller moments and that will help him in whiteball cricket, and then he will become the goalkeeper he expected.”
When it comes to hitting the ball, Sangakkara wants him to be discerning in choosing who to attack and when to attack.
“In his batting I have no doubt that he has all the shots, ability and talent but the point is to understand how you build a round in T20 cricket, know what to hit. Let’s hit the pitcher and be a little smart.”
T20 is not just for young people
Is T20 with its claims increasingly becoming a game where players in their mid-30s or late 30s are becoming less of a fit?
“I never thought it was a matter of age. I just looked at skill and I think it’s a game for the most skilled players. Cricket is a game for highly skilled players. the best and the best of the most skilled will only survive.
“You have to show. Otherwise, nothing will work. This is a game for people with transcendental skills, creativity and quick problem solving,” he concluded.
