India have become a dangerous side nowadays. With an all-weather bowling attack and an improved batting ability against pacers in away tour have made India a formidable squad, thinks former New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson. However, India recently whitewashed New Zealand in the five-match T20I series in their backyard.
“India are far better side now at present and they are improving all the time. Their bowling attack now suits all conditions around the world because their bowlers, pacers and spinners, are so good. That’s something they haven’t always had,” Hesson told PTI in an interview.
“And their batsmen’s ability to play pace bowling has also got better the more they have toured. So this group of players is exceptionally talented group. This series’ win will help them (for the World Cup in Australia later this year),” he added.
They will play a three-match ODI series next where the first match will take place in Hamilton on Wednesday. However, he feels two-Test series will be tough for New Zealand as they recently faced 0-3 loss in Australia.
“New Zealand had a poor tour of Australia and they would be hurt with that. But up to that point, their Test cricket was exceptional in the last 2-3 seasons, probably even longer. New Zealand know these conditions well. From a Test bowling point of view, if there is something in the surface, likes of Tim Southee will exploit it and Trent Boult should be back as well. Neil Wagner asks different questions too, so I am really looking forward to it,” he shared.
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“India will have an expectation of winning this Test series. But New Zealand is a very tough place to come and win Test matches. You cannot take anything for granted and I am sure India won’t,” said Mike Hesson.
Hesson also blamed New Zealand for some of their questionable decisions during the five-match T20I series they lost consecutive games in a Super Over.
“Losing in such a manner can become a bit of habit. Once New Zealand lost a couple (Super Overs), they almost started dreading the Super Over. And once you do that, you are not in the right frame of mind. Once again, even in both those Super Overs, New Zealand were in situations in this series where they could have won it. They will look back in hindsight and wonder if they used the right bowling option (Tim Southee) at that time. Changes of pace can be useful in a Super Over rather than necessarily trying to bowl yorkers,” the former coach expressed.
On the other hand, India’s middle-order did fairly well including Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey and also the pace department. Even KL Rahul has become the best find of the series who not only batted well but also did pretty well behind the stumps in the absence of Rishabh Pant.
“They were trying out different players in this series (and home season). Tried Shivam Dube, and Manish Pandey, who were playing slightly different roles, and I think they have found enough about those players. Of course if you have the ability to bring in Hardik Pandya (currently injured) towards the backend, that gives an extra dimension,” he said.
“It seems like India have moved on. And they have certainly had to put their plans in place for when that (Dhoni’s retirement) happens. I have heard in the press that a lot depends on the IPL in terms of how Dhoni operates. If he is in good touch then obviously he plays, but looks like India have moved past MSD at this stage,” he concluded.
