Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has suggested plans to counter New Zealand’s in-form batter Glenn Phillips after the second T20I in Christchurch on Saturday, October 24. Asked to bat first, New Zealand finished at 180/5, with Phillips registering his second consecutive half-century and top-scoring with 70 off 43 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes as well.

Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel (Irfan Pathan), Irfan Pathan said: “Glenn Phillips has become a bit of a headache for the Indian team. How should they plan to dismiss him? I would like to see Prince Yadav bowl more to him because, with his variations, Phillips will not be able to settle into a particular pace. That is one aspect.”

“The second thing to look at is his front foot when he bats. When Phillips knows that the field is set on the off side, he moves his front foot across to align himself for a shot through that region. However, when he expects the bowler to target the stumps, he opens up his front foot. He hit a six against Arshdeep Singh after opening up his stance in this manner. As a bowler, you can read his movement before the ball is released and use it to your advantage. You can even bluff him. If you have set an off-side field and notice that he is moving his front foot across to align himself for a shot, you can bowl one at the stumps instead,” he added.

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However, Irfan Pathan also said the need for the Indian team management to closely analyse Glenn Phillips’ footwork and make a strategy accordingly.

“I would like to see the Indian team management study his footwork closely and develop a plan with the bowlers accordingly. Phillips is also watching the field placement and adjusting his approach based on where the fielders are positioned. Can India counter his tactics or outsmart him with a bluff? That is something we will have to watch closely. If India can get him out, they could wrap up the series in the very next match,” he shared again.

“I would like to see Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowl a slightly fuller length in the next match. He has been bowling around the 7.5-metre mark, and I would like to see him bring that down to around 6.5 metres. He could get a little more assistance from the pitch, and I think he would be able to adjust accordingly. It certainly hasn’t been easy for Bhuvneshwar Kumar, but he can look to pitch the ball a little further up,” he concluded.