NEW DELHI: Former coach Ravi Shastri feels the visiting Indian team can still take a lot of positives despite losing the rain-marred three-match ODI series 0-1 to New Zealand after the third and final ODI was washed out in Christchurch on Wednesday.
Shastri was particularly impressed with young sensation Umran Malik's tearaway fast bowling.
"I like the way Umran bowled. There's potential there. If he can persevere, it will be very good," Shastri said during Prime Video's post-match coverage.
"I think a lot of positives came from this one-day series. Shreyas Iyer getting runs in a couple of matches, willing to stay there and willing to go through the tough period. Suryakumar Yadav of course has the potential, has the talent, and he will deliver."
Opening up on the young Indian players in the current squad, Shastri added, "Washington Sundar, I thought was very good. And even Umran Malik, I like the way he bowled. There's potential there. If he can persevere, it will be very good.
"All around, there was a very positive Shubman Gill at the start of the innings. These conditions are tough, you don't get these conditions often, and you don't travel to New Zealand that often.
"So I think for young cricketers to come here and get this kind of exposure is excellent. The weather and the ground dimensions need to be taken into account."
Overall, only two matches in the white-ball series produced results, exposing the poor planning on part of the concerned authorities. The series was organised less than a week after the T20 World Cup in neighbouring Australia.
The tour proved to be most fruitful for Washington, who had missed quite a few assignments in the recent past owing to injuries.
Shastri was effusive in his praise for the all-rounder, who made a composed 51 off 64 balls in tough conditions at the Hagley Oval, days after his brilliant cameo in the series opener.
"He grabbed the opportunity with both hands. And today I think he showed great maturity with the bat. Tough conditions, the top order struggled, and the ball was beating the bat but right from the outset in 5-7 minutes you knew this guy was composed.
"He looked organised, he left the ball well and the balance was fabulous and his footwork very positive.
"When he hit a couple of boundaries you knew he was on his way. So this innings will do him a world of good. Proper batter in tough conditions to get a half-century. I think he should take that," Shastri said.
(With inputs from PTI)
