Sanjay Bangar reveals Indian selectors were keeping a close watch on the Zimbabwe tour

After a comprehensive performance in the ODI series, India only managed to scrape past Zimbabwe in the T20Is. However, interim coach Sanjay Bangar lauded the inexperienced outfit for holding their nerves and felt that the tour would hold them in good stead.

Speaking to reporters in the aftermath of the final T20I in Harare, Bangar revealed that the selectors were closely following the progress of the Indian team members. He also praised skipper MS Dhoni for helping the younger players on how to deal with pressure.

Bangar stated, “Some of the boys would go to Australia with India A team and I think the selectors who were here for the entire duration and were watching each and every player very closely would have definitely earmarked players for the future from what they saw over here.”

He added, “Each one who got an opportunity created an impact. They made an impression and I think this experience will really stand them well going ahead. When you lose the first match in a three match series, the pressure only adds up. I think the way we came back in the second game and held our nerve in the third was commendable.”

Citing the fickle nature of T20s as a reason behind the loss in the opening cricket match, Bangar noted, “I think T20 is such a game wherein it consists of so many decisions that have to be made under pressure. It is such a fast and dynamic game that you need to keep a bit of leverage and some time to the younger guys. But all and all, I am pretty satisfied with the way they responded to various match situations.”

The 43-year-old affirmed that sharing the dressing room with Dhoni was a huge learning curve for the promising bunch. He quipped, “He (Dhoni) shared his experiences with the younger guys probably emphasizing on how to handle pressure under match situations and the things that are required to be done.”

The former all-rounder believed, “Dhoni, fantastically, passed on the tradition of Indian cricket because these youngsters are the future of Indian cricket and the way he shared his experiences was very similar to how the earlier generation used to pass on the knowledge and experiences just to make younger players feel comfortable in the dressing room.”