The England cricket team plans to deploy a similar strategy used in the T20I series to trump the experienced Indian batters in the ODIs as well. After suffering a 0-4 clean sweep in the T20Is, the Men in Blue will lock horns with Harry Brook and co. in the three-match 50-over format series. The Indian batters, in the T20Is, struggled against short-deliveries on lively surfaces in England, with the bowlers having the last laugh on most occasions. Now, England plan to replicate the same strategy for India’s veteran batters in the ODIs as well.
England to test Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli
Speaking to reporters in a press conference ahead of the ENG vs IND 1st ODI, Ben Duckett said that England will test the India cricket team batters with short balls. However, he added that the hosts could do away with the strategy if the Indian batters were good at playing those kind of deliveries. Before the ENG vs IND 5th T20I, the Indian batters scored 171 runs from 118 short-pitched deliveries, they have lost 11 wickets, averaging 15.54 at a strike rate of 144.9. From young Sooryavanshi to experienced candidates like Ishan Kishan, most batters struggled to deal with this menace.
“We will test them out. If they’re pretty good at it (playing the short ball), we probably won’t use the strategy as much. But I’ll be honest, I’m not sure, we might as well continue with it if we find it’s working,” Duckett said.
However, the power-packed Indian line-up comprising of stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli among others, are no strangers to playing in English conditions. The Hitman is known to have mastered the pull short to deal with short deliveries while Kohli has his own techniques to deal with them. Both stars have been training for weeks now to prepare for the series.
“Both (Virat and Rohit) are incredible players, but I don’t think we need to change our team dynamics significantly. We’ve got to stick to what we do and try to do it better than them. Ultimately, we’re not going to be fearing anyone when we go out there,” Duckett added.
Cricket
England to test India with short-ball tactic again in ENG vs IND 1st ODI; Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli warned
