Just days after thumping New Zealand 4-1 in the ODI series, India were comprehensively outplayed in the first T20 International at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium by the record margin of 80 runs. However, this tweak in the batting line-up points to the team management’s penchant for continued experiments in the run-up to the World Cup in England. The preceding ODI series helped India plug a few holes in their prospective 15-member squad for that showpiece event that begins on May 30. This was precisely the reason why he was omitted from the limited-overs series against Australia that followed the Tests. India have a seam-bowling all-rounder in Hardik Pandya, but in favourable English conditions, Shankar could be a very useful option.

Source: Indian Express February 06, 2019 21:45 UTC