Sanju Samson returns, Tilak Verma retained, Parthiv Patel selects India’s playing XI for the fourth T20 against England

New Delhi. For the Indian team, which is trailing 0-2 in the five-match T20 series against England, now every match has become like ‘do or die’. In the third T20 match played in Nottingham, India had to face a crushing defeat of 125 runs, where the entire team collapsed for just 76 runs. After this shameful defeat, questions are being raised regarding the batting order and playing eleven of Team India. Meanwhile, former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel has given a surprising but very practical advice to the Indian team for the fourth T20 match. Parthiv has selected India’s playing eleven for the fourth T20.

Parthiv Patel believes that the Indian team is in dire need of making changes in its top and middle order. He has emphasized on creating a balance of left and right handed batsmen in the team. However, the most surprising thing is that instead of dropping Tilak Verma, who is struggling with poor form, Parthiv has advocated bringing back Sanju Samson in the team by dropping star all-rounder Shivam Dubey. Parthiv Patel, during a conversation on Star Sports, expressed concern over the abundance of same type of batsmen in the Indian batting order. He said that when 6 of your top-7 batsmen are left-handed, then the job becomes easier for the opposition bowlers.

According to Parthiv, ‘When you have left-handed batsmen continuously in the lineup, the bowlers get used to bowling on the same line-length. Apart from this, the dimensions of the field (distance of the boundary) also affect the game. Therefore, to break this monotony, India should include a right-handed batsman like Sanju Samson in the middle order. Parthiv made it clear that he does not want to see Samson as an opener. According to him, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and captain Shreyas Iyer should together handle the Indian middle order. There should be flexibility in the batting order of these three according to the situation and requirement of the match.

Parthiv Patel selected India’s playing eleven for the fourth T20.

Tilak Verma got the role of ‘finisher’
Generally, cricket pundits and fans are demanding the removal of vice-captain Tilak Verma, who has been a flop in the last few matches, from the team, but Parthiv Patel’s view is completely different from this. He has openly supported Tilak Verma and suggested using him as a ‘finisher’ at number 6. According to Parthiv, inclusion of Sanju Samson in place of Shivam Dubey will strengthen the team’s batting and Tilak Verma can play the role of Shivam Dubey (finisher) very well by coming at number 6. Anyway, head coach Gautam Gambhir has already indicated that the team’s doors are not closed for Sanju Samson, even though he was out on single digit scores in the first two matches.

Bet on 5 specialist bowlers instead of all-rounders
Parthiv Patel has indicated major changes not only in batting but also in the bowling department. He believes that instead of filling the team with all-rounders, the team should take the field with five specialist bowlers. He has included bowlers like Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakraborty and Prince Yadav in his playing eleven, while Akshar Patel is included as the only main all-rounder. In this team selected by Parthiv, young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi has also been given a chance in the top order, who can open the innings with Abhishek Sharma.

Parthiv Patel’s playing eleven for the fourth T20:
Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Verma, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakraborty, Prince Yadav.