Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris believes Team India’s inability to play the style of cricket that is most appropriate for their players was responsible for their exit from last year’s T20 World Cup.

Virat Kohli and Co. lost their first two games against Pakistan and New Zealand in the international event, which was played in the UAE, and failed to reach the semi-finals. The Men in Blue will clash with arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai in their Asia Cup 2022 opener on Sunday, August 28.

During an interaction on the Sports 18 show ‘Sports Over the Top’, Styris was asked about Pakistan’s cause being helped by a very impressive domestic T20 league. 

“As we know, India has a very strong T20 league as well. I don’t think that’s going to be a defining moment or a factor in this match. I think it’s the ability to come together and play the style and brand of cricket that best suits your players. I thought that was the big trick that India missed at the last T20 World Cup.”

He responded

Styris feels India were marginally meek in their approach in their first two rounds of the T20 World Cup. 

“Talk about the two games, the two losses they had before they just started to go after the opposition, they didn’t impose themselves with the talent and skill that they have got. I want to see India do that in this Asia Cup.”

He observed

India lost to Pakistan and New Zealand by 10 and eight wickets, respectively, to begin their T20 World Cup 2021 campaign on a bleak note. They made a comeback to register persuading wins in their next three league phase fixtures, yet it wasn’t enough for making the knockout stages.

“They have the capacity to crush everyone including Pakistan” – Scott Styris on Team India

Styris feels the Men dressed in Blue could squash any remaining teams at the forthcoming Asia Cup, saying:

“I want them (India) to impose themselves on the other teams and they have got the ability to do that. I think they have got the ability to squash everybody including Pakistan in this Asia Cup.”

Styris, however, pointed out that India will be found wanting if they are unsure about their game plan. 

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“If they (India) are going to go in with this middling attitude of how they want to play the game, then I don’t think it’s going to happen. I think that’s where Pakistan have figured things out that little bit more.”

The cricketer-turned-commentator explained

Team India have guzzled a somewhat more attacking approach since the last T20 World Cup. It will, however, be noted whether they adhere to that approach if they lose two or three early wickets in a crunch game.

Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris stored immense praise on talented India opener Shubman Gill and said he has what it takes to become perhaps the best player in the world. Gill has gotten back to India’s white-ball set-up and intrigued numerous during initial two ODIs matches against West Indies.

The 22-year-old scored 107 runs in two matches at an average of 53.50 in the ongoing series. However, he failed to change the starts into a major score in both matches. He was run out on  64 in the series opener and was reprimanded for his relaxed methodology while taking the single. In the second ODI, he miscued a slope shot and was excused and bowled by Kyle Mayers.

He made his international debut in 2019 yet has failed to solidify his spot in the XI, in any case, a few cricket pundits have promoted him as the following large thing in Indian cricket.

Styris hailed the skilled India player and said they really love Gill more than him in the world.

“When he (Gill) plays for India at the top, I expect that average to be a lot higher because he is such a classy player. There are very few bigger fans than me of Shubman Gill. I have been very vocal about that over the last couple of years. I think he has the skills and the cricket nous to be one of the world’s best,”

said Styris.

The former New Zealand all-rounder further condemned India substitute chief Shikhar Dhawan for his sluggish strike rate in the second ODI which made things a bit hard for the guests. The southpaw looked a bit rusty on Sunday and was excused on only 13 off 31 balls.

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“When you look at Shikhar Dhawan’s strike rate in this match, it wasn’t great. They were off to a slow start, even when Shubman Gill was out, it was 60-odd after 15-16 overs, that’s not a great strike rate when you are chasing 300 plus,” said Styris. “It wasn’t down to Shubman Gill, that’s the key, his strike rate was nearly up to a 100, so he did his part. If Shikhar had done his too, this run chase would have been a lot easier for India,”

he added.

Shreyas Iyer has emerged as an extraordinary choice for the Indian cricket crew in the middle order. His cool and quiet poise has seen him lead two IPL groups also. Be that as it may, in the new visit through England, Iyer looked helpless against the short ball. 

Former New Zealand player Scott Styris has now said that Iyer’s initiative characteristics pursue him as a decent decision for India captaincy. 

However, the NZ star likewise added that Iyer needs to resolve the issues with his batting.

“What I really like about Shreyas Iyer is the leadership qualities that he possesses. I think he’s a real possibility to be a captain as well for India. For that reason, I would like to see him in and even give him more and more opportunities to be around this squad,”

Scott Styris said on SPORTS18

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“What I don’t like, the negative if you like, is that there is no secret about Shreyas. He has real problems with the short ball. I think you’ll see a lot of teams attack him with the quick bowlers looking to attack the body with the bouncer, go under the armpit if you like because I’m not sure he has found a way. He’s almost a little bit like Suresh Raina in that regard where teams now know how to attack him. It’s now up to Shreyas Iyer to find a way to succeed against that style of bowling. If he can do that, then I think he’s one of the first names you write down in that Indian side. I really do like all the qualities about him, but until then, I think you’ve just got to give him opportunities and if he can’t find success then you need to find someone else who can, but he’s very talented.”

Styris on Iyer’s form

Iyer is important for the team that will play in the upcoming ODI and T20I series against West Indies.