Pandya, who has played 120 games in the shortest format for India, is back in the T20I team after recovering from a quadriceps injury sustained during the Asia Cup in the UAE in September. He has already shown good form in the games he turned out for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and was among the first to hit the nets in India\u2019s practice session at the Barabati Stadium on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Apart from him, India are also welcoming back vice-captain Shubman Gill, who has recovered from a neck injury sustained during the Test match against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata last month.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBoth of them look healthy and fit. They have come along with the team. What you saw in Asia Cup also was when he opened the bowling with the new ball, he opened up a lot of options and combinations for us with respect to the playing eleven.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo that\u2019s what he brings to the table and his experience is invaluable. He has done well in a lot of good games, big games and ICC and ACC events also. So that experience counts for a lot and his presence will definitely give a good balance to the side,\u201d said Suryakumar in the pre-match press conference on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gill\u2019s return to open the batting alongside the in-form Abhishek Sharma will give some sheen to India\u2019s preparation for the mega event. Suryakumar also explained about how India shifted from having Sanju Samson as the opener to now zeroing in on Gill for that slot.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Since Gill\u2019s inclusion, Samson has been batting either at number five or slotted at number three.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIn terms of Sanju, when he came on the circuit, he batted higher up the order. Now the thing is, other than the openers, everyone has to be very flexible. He did really well when he opened the innings, but Shubman had played before him in the Sri Lanka series and so he deserved to take that spot.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut we gave Sanju enough opportunities \u2013 he\u2019s ready to bat at any number, which is good to see \u2013 any player who\u2019s ready and flexible to bat anywhere from three to six. I have told batters other than the openers that you have to be flexible to bat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo, both are in the scheme of things \u2013 it\u2019s lovely to have players like them be a part of the squad. One can open, the other can bat lower down the order \u2013 even both can do all the roles. So they are a good asset for our team and a good headache to have,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut we gave Sanju enough opportunities \u2013 he\u2019s ready to bat at any number, which is good to see \u2013 any player who\u2019s ready and flexible to bat anywhere from three to six. I have told batters other than the openers that you have to be flexible to bat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"As you saw in Australia, Dubey went in to bat at number three. It depends on the entry point of the batter. We have to be really flexible during that. Before us, you get to know how the squad will be. More likely, this is what the team and the squad looks like. It looks good. It looks strong. So, I am very happy with it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n