India currently have two squads in two different parts of the world, something that has happened quite frequently in the post-Covid years. While one unit is preparing for the T20 World Cup in Australia, the other, led by Shikhar and VVS, are engaged in a three-match ODI series against South Africa. The team facing South Africa are devoid of most regular stars like captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Bumrah and so on, and yet, they tend to be a difficult side to beat for most teams in the world.
They had on Thursday started the series with a close nine-run defeat to South Africa. Veteran Pakistan Wicket Keeper Akmal has said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCC) is to be lauded for creating a situation where India can produce the competitive teams in international cricket at the same time.
"It's a great sign for India that they have two teams ready. One team is playing the ODI series against South Africa, and the other has reached Australia for the T20 World Cup, said the Pakistani batter.
"It's not just white-ball cricket, they have players ready for Test cricket as well. They have a very sound policy, and we must give credit to their domestic system. It is surprising to see how big a talent pool they have managed to create, explained Akmal.
The 40-year-old was all praise for the performance by Team India against Protease in the first ODI match on Thursday. "South Africa won the game by nine runs. They survived the tough phases as the conditions were difficult because of the rain. They were able to do that because they have their full-strength side and all their main players are playing in the series, explained Akmal.
While they were up against a second-string Indian team, they had to work very hard for the win, just like they would have had to against India's main team. If India's main players were there, they would have chased down this target," he added.
They faced each other twice a month back, in the 2022 Asia Cup, and they are all set to face each other later this month in their 2022 T20 World Cup opener in Melbourne when Rohit Sharma-led India will aim to avenge their 10-wicket defeat in the last edition. And ahead of the blockbuster clash on October 23, former India batting coach Sanjay made a big statement comparing the two teams.
"Team India have had some good games against Pakistan in the Asia Cup and what the Indian team would be weighing up is that it is a more complete team, which is a team that is not dependent on just one or two individuals," Sanjay said while speaking on Star Sports show 'Cricket Live' during the 1st ODI match between India and South Africa on Thursday.
Speaking to Star Sports, Sanjay said that while Pakistan have been completely dependent on their top-order batters in Ba bar and Mohammad, while India have at least three to four match winners in their squad.
Thus, India have split their international squad once again, as they have done a number of times in the recent past, with one team playing an ODI series against South Africa and the other involved in.
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