Bowling coach of India, Sairaj Bahutule, has given an inkling that the team might be looking at its strategy with some of its top-order batters being encouraged to learn how to bowl. This is to add surprise and depth to the attack. The concept took on a more tangible form right after Shubman Gill was given the ball in the last ODI against Sri Lanka, a contest that was eventually tied.
And while Gill’s lone over did go for 14 runs, Sairaj Bahutule remains upbeat about the contention. “Our batters have the skillset to contribute with the ball,” he says. “It’s just about fine-tuning their focus and giving them opportunities.”
The coach took inspiration from Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh’s success with the ball in T20I matches on Monday, saying that this is now an era for the game to evolve fast, and these all-rounders have become quite an important asset.
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“Depending on the pitch conditions and the situation that arises during the match, we might see more batters rolling their arms over in the future,” Sairaj Bahutule said.
Coming back to the tied game, Bahutule felt that India should have made much more of a good start that captain Rohit Sharma gave them. The failure to get those critical partnerships going after a bright start of the game was a setback. He credited the Sri Lankan spinners, particularly Hasaranga and Asalanka, who he felt bowled really well.
Despite missing a win, Sairaj Bahutule was all praise for the team’s bowling effort. The bowlers, spearheaded by Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj, were successful in breaching the early defences of the opposition before the spinners began to contribute with wickets of vital value. “It was a good performance to bowl out the Lankan side for 230; it’s a good, sporting kind of wicket,” said the coach.
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In fact, as India looks ahead, it shall be building on the positives in the game and working on those that were not up to the mark. Management of the team will keenly attempt at recreating a wholesome unit, giving it the ability to adapt to the various situations and conditions that come its way.
The calculated decision of persuading the part-time bowlers from the top order could well and truly pay dividends in the future. It really does add another dimension to India’s artillery and may keep the opposition guessing.
