‘If big players don't perform, youngsters should be considered’ - Kapil Dev on India’s dismal campaign in T20 World Cup 2021

Team India’s campaign in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021 has been nothing but horrendous so far. Having lost their first two fixtures and Pakistan and New Zealand, the Men in Blue are virtually out of the semi-final race and the cricket fraternity isn’t amused. After all, the Virat Kohli-led side entered the competition as favourites, having done well in the shortest international format in recent years.

However, they couldn’t live up to the expectations in the first two games and suffered humiliating defeats. As of now, they only have an outside chance of qualifying for the knock-out stage. India need to win their remaining three games alongside hoping that other match results fall in their favour. Their latest assignment is against Afghanistan at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (November 3).

With the current lot of players not doing well, former Indian captain Kapil Dev reckons India should consider making some significant changes. The cricket legend believes BCCI might think about giving more chances to youngsters rather than depend on the big names.

If you want to win the World Cup, do it on your own strengths: Kapil Dev

“If we succeed on the basis of some other teams, Indian cricket has never appreciated it. If you want to win the World Cup, or reach the semi-finals, do it on your own strengths. It is better not to depend on other teams. I guess the selectors will have to decide the future of the big names and the big players,” Kapil told ABP News.

The 1983 World Cup-winning captain further went on to say that youngsters who have done well in the Indian Premier League (IPL) should come in the picture. “They need to think whether the youngsters who are performing well in the IPL, is it time to give them a chance? How do we make the next generation better? If they lose, there is no harm because they will gain experience,” added the 62-year-old.

“But if these big players don’t perform now and play such bad cricket, there is going to be plenty of criticism. The BCCI needs to intervene and think about bringing more youngsters in,” added the veteran