After India’s commanding 48-run victory over New Zealand in the opening T20I of the five-match series, former India selector Kris Srikkanth offered a rather unexpected perspective on the Indian lineup, particularly regarding senior pros Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.

It was a clinical performance by Team India as they thumped New Zealand with a 48-run victory to take a lead in the five-match T20I series. Abhishek Sharma starred with the bat with his knock of 84 runs. Despite the win, there was a moment of panic when Axar Patel faced an injury scare. 

In the post-match discussion, Srikkanth suggested that India might reconsider playing big names like Bumrah and Hardik in certain parts of the series, arguing that rest and rotation could benefit the Men in Blue in keeping their stars fit ahead of the marquee event. 

"I would still prefer India batting first and playing like this. But I want to also see them chasing 200 so it is a practice. It will be challenging in the World Cup if you are chasing and in every situation you will not get to bat first always. My only concern in injury. Axar got injured and we don't want key players getting injured.

I think the likes of Bumrah and Hardik should not play a game or two. There should be rotation because there is no time for recovery if you get injured," he said on his YouTube channel'.

India stamp authority in the series opener

Coming after a disappointing ODI series, the hosts set a massive total of 238/7 after opting to bat first, powered by a breathtaking 84 off 35 balls from Abhishek Sharma and a late-innings flourish from Rinku Singh, who finished unbeaten on 44 off 20.

The second T20I is scheduled for January 23 in Raipur, where India will look to build on their dominant start, with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup just around the corner. 

The second T20I is scheduled for January 23 in Raipur, where India will look to build on their dominant start, with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup just around the corner.