New Delhi: Indian men’s cricket team interim bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule emphasised the importance of designated batters chipping in with overs to bowl in the recent changes observed under the new coaching regime of head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Riyan Parag, who has bowled only 175 balls for his IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals across his six seasons, was used as an extra bowler in the recently-concluded T20I series. Interestingly, the 22-year-old was bowled for a full quota of overs in the second and third T20I matches.
In the final T20I match on July 30, skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh were seen rolling their arms for one over each. It was a queer instance to watch for the spectators given the duo play as pure batters and don’t bowl regularly in international cricket neither in domestic cricket.
The trend of batters bowling continued in the first ODI on Friday with opening batter Shubman Gill given over to bowl. Explaining the reason behind getting a few overs out from batters on the pitch, Sairaj Bahutule said in a press conference:
“You might have seen in the T20Is when Rinku (Singh) and Suryakumar (Yadav) contributed with the ball. So, Shubman got an opportunity here. It’s going to be an all-rounders game in the coming days. Our batters are good bowlers, but their primary skill is batting, so they don’t focus much on their bowling. But they have the skills.”
“If someone in the top four or five can bowl, it always helps the team. Moving forward, you will see contributions. Depending on the situation and pitch conditions, a batter who can bowl can surprise the opposition. I am sure moving ahead, there will be ample opportunities for the batters to bowl.”
India, Sri Lanka eye at lead
India and Sri Lanka were involved in a tie in the first ODI match in Colombo after both teams scored 230 on the board. Thanks to the gritty approach shown by Sri Lankan spinners late in the game, denying the Men in Blue to get over the line to put on a humdinger for the spectators. The two teams will again meet at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday for the second ODI with one certainly to take a 1-0 lead.
Indian men’s cricket team interim bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule emphasised the importance of designated batters chipping in with overs to bowl in the recent changes observed under the new coaching regime of head coach Gautam Gambhir. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
