Afridi, Gayle, Nehra and Company Prove That Age Is Just a Number

Is Twenty20 more a older man’s game than a younger man’s game?

Former Indian captain Anil Kumble was nearly 39 when he flourished in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Jumbo’s verdict

Kumble was asked at the 2009 IPL how he had come good in the T20 format at this late stage. His reply was simple: T20 was in fact the easiest format for an older player because it involved bowling just four overs unlike in the other formats.

What Kumble said in 2009 holds true for older players even seven years later with sides in every competition at national and franchise level. A number of older players are featuring in just the T20 format.

Seniors at Play

It is no different here during the World Twenty20 when the likes of Tillakaratne Dilshan, Shane Watson, Chris Gayle, Shahid Afridi, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhaian Singh and Ashish Nehra are still plying their trade in the tournament.

Hong Kong’s former Australia international Ryan Campbell was 44 when he made his T20I debut in the ongoing World Twenty20.  Most sides are preferring to use the experience of their older players over the young turks in a shorter duration.

It is true that speed and agility is of essence in a T20 format, but when put under pressure youngsters can lose steam. That is where the experience of the older players comes in handy.

India Following Aussie Lead

Over the years, Australia have approached T20 format by picking specific players just around the World Twenty20. That’s how a Brad Hogg returned just for the World T20 and very recently speedster Shaun Tait returned after a long layoff just for T20Is.

India too followed a similar policy while recalling Nehra, Yuvraj and Harbhajan. In the case of Nehra it has almost always paid rich dividends since January this year. Yuvraj has blown hot and cold, while Harbhajan is yet to feature in more than one match.

It is unlikely that the trio will feature in any international beyond this tournament. The whole focus of their selection was to bring in some experience into the T20I side. If India is knocked out, then we could well have seen the last of Yuvraj, Harbhajan and Nehra.

Together the trio are the last link to our golden generation. With the next World Twenty20 almost four years away in Australia, it will need a new build-up in the years to come.

Plan Ahead

There is just one Twenty20 International after this tournament for the next year, but there are plenty of ODIs. Nehra has made an impact striking early, but it is highly unlikely he can last the full 50 overs. Yuvraj and Harbhajan may also not be part of the 2019 ODI World Cup plans, hence India will need to start looking for replacements.

Different for Foreigners

Similarly Watson, Dilshan, Afridi and Gayle are in the last stages of their careers. Some of them have just become T20 mercenaries and realise that their potential lies in travelling around the world. This prolongs their careers longer than the Indians. With the other sides playing more T20Is than India, there is a likelihood of seeing these overseas players more in action in internationals.

T20 cricket is evolving all the time. Hopefully, as we go along there may be a few more myths broken around what was once considered a young man’s game.