India’s performances have dipped when the senior players aren’t there – Salman Butt

Former Pakistan opener Salman Butt reckons India’s performances have dipped when the senior players aren’t there. With the ODI World Cup on the horizon, India has been looking to give chances to the young players while resting their senior players.

The Indian team lost the second ODI against the West Indies but the side bounced back in the deciding game of the series. Subsequently, the visitors lost the first two T20Is against the Windies in the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have not played in the shortest format since the 2022 T20 World Cup.

However, the young Indian team bounced back in the third T20I of the series as they won by seven wickets after Suryakumar Yadav played a cracking knock of 83 runs off just 44 balls. Furthermore, India currently don’t have the services of players like Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Salman Butt remarked: “They struggle to get their combination right when the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah are absent. It’s not the same team without them. Saying we can make three or four teams is fine, as the talent pool is there. However, regarding quality, India’s performances have dipped when the senior players aren’t there. It doesn’t matter what people say, but the experience of those senior players makes a big difference.”

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah is all set to return to action in the upcoming three-match T20I series against Ireland.

Earlier, Butt had suggested that veteran Indian batter Shikhar Dhawan should return to the team for the ODI World Cup as the team needs experience.

“They will need Shikhar Dhawan on top. I don’t see any of the top-order batters, among right-handers, who can open as good as him. Either Shikhar and Shubman (Gill) can open and Rohit (Sharma) comes one down, or Rohit can open with Shikhar,” said Butt on his YouTube Channel.

India will play the fourth T20I against the West Indies on Saturday in Florida.