India cricket team assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has admitted that the team weren’t expecting to be over reliant on spin in Champions Trophy. His remarks come ahead of the side’s final group stage fixture against New Zealand. Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja played a crucial role in keeping the opposition (Pakistan and Bangladesh) silent in the middle-overs while also getting frequent breakthroughs.
India’s spin strategy works wonders
Speaking to reporters, ten Doeschate reckoned that with four spinners in fray, it could very well be a spin contest. He said that while India did not expect to depend on spin too much in Champions Trophy, the spinners had bowled well in the last two games. He added that the pitch in Dubai also provided some assistance for spin. The assistant coach opined that India’s game plan would remain the same for their tie against New Zealand.
“Yes I think so. Now, there are four spinners as well, so it could be a contest of spin. I think, coming into the competition, we weren’t expecting such over reliance on spin, but the guys have bowled nicely and the pitch has helped them a bit. So, I’m sure it’s going to be same for the next game,” he said.
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While Kuldeep, Jadeja and Axar have played both group stage matches so far, Washington Sundar and Varun Chakravarthy are yet to play a game. India’s pacers – Shami, Harshit Rana and Hardik Pandya – are leading the charts in terms of most wickets taken.
However, the spinners aren’t far behind and are playing a crucial role in putting the breaks on the opposition in the middle-overs. Both Jadeja and Kuldeep have managed to keep their economy rate below five.
