We have a talented bunch of players: Sanjay Bangar

Interim Indian coach Sanjay Bangar has reiterated the importance of letting the team’s performances speak rather than to point a loaded gun at the head of the Zimbabwe management. The Indian side boasts of very little experience and exuberance of youth as they take on a much more seasoned and internationally equipped Zimbabwe side in a series of three ODIs and three T20 internationals.

Earlier, Makhaya Ntini, the bowling coach of the Zimbabwe side had stated that his bowling attack could put a second-string Indian team “under the carpet” and give the opposition a reason to bring stronger squads henceforth.

“We believe in (letting) our performance speak. We have a talented bunch of young players. They’ve done really well in the domestic championships and India A circuit. So our focus is inwards. We do not want to give too much attention to what the opposition is saying,” Bangar said.

Ntini was clearly angry with the fact that the Indian board had indeed sent out a highly inexperienced side. However, Sanjay Bangar reiterated that the new recruits would certainly go on to give a good account of themselves in the upcoming series.

“It’s an international game and all of us believe that all the international games should be played with the same sort of intensity and purpose and that’s what the younger players are looking at. Our focus is basically inwards and we want to play as well as we can. Let’s see how far we go.

“It’s a great platform for the younger guys. It has provided a launch pad for a number of cricketers. Virat [Kohli] came here and led India for the first time, Suresh [Raina] came in and then Ajinkya [Rahane]. We believe it’s a very, very important tour for the younger lot. It provides us an opportunity to look at the future stars emerging from Indian scene for years to come.”

“Yes, he (Dhoni) is very excited to be part of a young bunch of players. It’s been after a long time that he is getting an opportunity to play with young players and pass on his experience. After his retirement from Test cricket, he is very, very keen to play in all the one-day games and it augurs well for Indian cricket,” Bangar said.