Lucknow
India stand-in captain Rohit Sharma today said that Khaleel Ahmed’s ability to swing the white kookaburra upfront gives the team an option to use their premier bowler Jasprit Bumrah differently in the shortest format. Sharma was impressed with the youngster, who himself sought the new ball from his skipper. “Khaleel wanted the new ball and he initially looks to swing it and he has taken up the challenge well. Bumrah has been the premier bowler for us and the way we use him in T20Is is different to ODIs. And when Khaleel bowls that kind of a spell upfront, that helps us,” said Rohit.

Khaleel, on his part, was happy that he could rise to the occasion. “I had more responsibility today as I was bowling with the new ball. I had to read the pitch well when we were batting,” said Khaleel. “I am working on my bowling arm as well as on my non-bowling arm with Bharat Arun during practice sessions.”