When the Indian cricket team, led by means of Mohammad Azharuddin, made its maiden voyage to South Africa just a little over 25 years ago, they created historical past. Not by means of winning, however simply by being there. They have been the primary team to seek advice from South Africa post-apartheid.
ALSO READ: Pandya provides Kohli with numerous options, says Klusener
India have never received a chain in South Africa since and, when Virat Kohli and his males begin their excursion with the primary of three Tests on Friday, they'll search a date with historical past again, however this time on an equal footing. They shall be aiming to develop into the primary Indian side to win a Test collection within the southern African country.
ALSO READ: Current Indian assault perfect within the last 60-70 years, says Prasanna
There is reason why for optimism this time round, no longer simply since the Indians are in the midst of a phenomenal winning run, but additionally as a result of mavens reckon Kohli has the bowlers to take the struggle to South Africa. Former tempo ace Javagal Srinath, who was part of the Indian squad all over the historical excursion beneath Azharuddin, is one in all them. The 'Mysore Express' believes India's bowling assault has lots in its armoury. The key man, he says, shall be right-arm pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
"This is the best fast bowling combination in India at the moment," said Srinath, who collected 43 wickets within the 8 Test matches he played in South Africa. "I go by what I've seen in the last one-and-ahalf years. I strongly feel Bhuvneshwar will be the strike bowler - or at least he should be treated like one. He should be used economically and in short spells. Over the past few months, he has been outstanding. He has added a couple of yards of pace and has been moving the ball with greater control."
FREEDOM AT STAKE: India captain Virat Kohli and South African counterpart Faf du Plessis with the Freedom Trophy at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on Wednesday . (AFP Photo)
Likening Bhuvneshwar to Terry Alderman, the former Australian pacer who swung the ball and was correct, Srinath said, "Bhuvneshwar swings the ball both ways and at alarming pace. With the kind of pace he has been displaying, he can be a great asset for the team on South African wickets which usually have bounce and carry." Srinath insisted that retaining and supporting Bhuvneshwar was crucial. "The team management has to take care of him and ensure he lasts the series," the former speedy bowler said. "He should not be used as second fiddle, where he is made to bowl donkeys overs and is tired by the second or the third Test match. He should be well-supported by the others."
HANDLING PRESSURE
Srinath, now an ICC fit referee, believes Kohli's team is different from teams of the past in any other appreciate. He does no longer subscribe to the speculation that the present crop of players succumbs to pressure.
"When it comes to handling pressure, I think, the IPL has fasttracked players," the 48-year-old said. "In the IPL, they always play under pressure and players tend to learn more when under pressure. In that sense, I think they are all experts in handling pressure."
KOOKABURRA AND CONDITIONS
Players, including Bhuvneshwar, have spoken about adapting to the crimson Kookaburra ball and Srinath feels the earlier the bowlers adapt, the better it might be for them.
"The bowlers are champions with the white Kookaburra ball, but the red ball is very different," he said. "They have to get used to it as soon as possible. Winning these Test matches will depend a lot on how quickly they get used to the ball and how well they read local conditions. There has to be a minor adjustment in the way they pitch the ball."
Srinath stressed that bowlers must toil laborious across venues and surfaces. "The advent of T20 has changed wickets worldwide, so I don't think we will get wickets like we used to 15 years ago. Most wickets are batting-friendly these days. This means more work for the bowlers. If you are able to get 20 wickets in a Test match, it means the workload on the bowlers has increased 100%. That's why you cannot afford to make too many mistakes with line and length."
MANAGING WORKLOAD
Srinath, who overcame a career-threatening rotator-cuff damage in 1997, means that whilst managing the workload is vital, bowlers must play extra. "The more you play, the better you become," he said. "That can also be construed as, the more you play, the more likelihood of injury. That's a very negative line of thinking. As a bowler, the more you bowl, the better you become. Of course the body needs a break, that's when they rotate the workload. We have a good group of fast bowlers who can be rotated effectively."
BIGGEST CHALLENGE
Refusing to generalise South African stipulations, Srinath pointed out, "Adaptability is key. I think each wicket is different and we cannot generalise conditions. What matters will be the tactical adaptability to a particular pitch and during various sessions during a day."
ON THE OTHER PACERS....
UMESH YADAV
For raw tempo, you might have Umesh. He may also be just right with each the brand new and the old ball if he will get the road and duration right. He can opposite the ball well in South Africa when the stipulations are dry. Swing within the air and motion off the seam would be the differentiator on this collection.
ISHANT SHARMA
Ishant has been just a little enigmatic together with his consistency, however this is a chance to turn out himself. Clearly, the captain has numerous self assurance and trust in him. That must in point of fact spur him. Ishant must paintings on his revel in and put a bowling technique in position.
MOHD SHAMI
He is a gradual bowler who skids the ball well.
JASPRIT BUMRAH
I think he's a unique bowler. His competence stems from his deceptive action. Apart from that, he's an excessively intelligent bowler. Playing T20 beneath pressure at an early degree in his career has ensured he has blossomed early. These are the younger speedy bowlers who have to get up and deliver.
HARDIK PANDYA
He has in point of fact been an asset. If India desires to move in with five bowlers, he walks in as a bowler. That offers super respite to the mainstay speedy bowlers who hunt in pairs. He brings with him the choice of enjoying 4 speedy bowlers. If that happens, then the bowling may also be circled superbly.
ALSO READ: Pandya provides Kohli with numerous options, says Klusener
India have never received a chain in South Africa since and, when Virat Kohli and his males begin their excursion with the primary of three Tests on Friday, they'll search a date with historical past again, however this time on an equal footing. They shall be aiming to develop into the primary Indian side to win a Test collection within the southern African country.
ALSO READ: Current Indian assault perfect within the last 60-70 years, says Prasanna
There is reason why for optimism this time round, no longer simply since the Indians are in the midst of a phenomenal winning run, but additionally as a result of mavens reckon Kohli has the bowlers to take the struggle to South Africa. Former tempo ace Javagal Srinath, who was part of the Indian squad all over the historical excursion beneath Azharuddin, is one in all them. The 'Mysore Express' believes India's bowling assault has lots in its armoury. The key man, he says, shall be right-arm pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
"This is the best fast bowling combination in India at the moment," said Srinath, who collected 43 wickets within the 8 Test matches he played in South Africa. "I go by what I've seen in the last one-and-ahalf years. I strongly feel Bhuvneshwar will be the strike bowler - or at least he should be treated like one. He should be used economically and in short spells. Over the past few months, he has been outstanding. He has added a couple of yards of pace and has been moving the ball with greater control."
FREEDOM AT STAKE: India captain Virat Kohli and South African counterpart Faf du Plessis with the Freedom Trophy at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on Wednesday . (AFP Photo)
Likening Bhuvneshwar to Terry Alderman, the former Australian pacer who swung the ball and was correct, Srinath said, "Bhuvneshwar swings the ball both ways and at alarming pace. With the kind of pace he has been displaying, he can be a great asset for the team on South African wickets which usually have bounce and carry." Srinath insisted that retaining and supporting Bhuvneshwar was crucial. "The team management has to take care of him and ensure he lasts the series," the former speedy bowler said. "He should not be used as second fiddle, where he is made to bowl donkeys overs and is tired by the second or the third Test match. He should be well-supported by the others."
HANDLING PRESSURE
Srinath, now an ICC fit referee, believes Kohli's team is different from teams of the past in any other appreciate. He does no longer subscribe to the speculation that the present crop of players succumbs to pressure.
"When it comes to handling pressure, I think, the IPL has fasttracked players," the 48-year-old said. "In the IPL, they always play under pressure and players tend to learn more when under pressure. In that sense, I think they are all experts in handling pressure."
KOOKABURRA AND CONDITIONS
Players, including Bhuvneshwar, have spoken about adapting to the crimson Kookaburra ball and Srinath feels the earlier the bowlers adapt, the better it might be for them.
"The bowlers are champions with the white Kookaburra ball, but the red ball is very different," he said. "They have to get used to it as soon as possible. Winning these Test matches will depend a lot on how quickly they get used to the ball and how well they read local conditions. There has to be a minor adjustment in the way they pitch the ball."
Srinath stressed that bowlers must toil laborious across venues and surfaces. "The advent of T20 has changed wickets worldwide, so I don't think we will get wickets like we used to 15 years ago. Most wickets are batting-friendly these days. This means more work for the bowlers. If you are able to get 20 wickets in a Test match, it means the workload on the bowlers has increased 100%. That's why you cannot afford to make too many mistakes with line and length."
MANAGING WORKLOAD
Srinath, who overcame a career-threatening rotator-cuff damage in 1997, means that whilst managing the workload is vital, bowlers must play extra. "The more you play, the better you become," he said. "That can also be construed as, the more you play, the more likelihood of injury. That's a very negative line of thinking. As a bowler, the more you bowl, the better you become. Of course the body needs a break, that's when they rotate the workload. We have a good group of fast bowlers who can be rotated effectively."
BIGGEST CHALLENGE
Refusing to generalise South African stipulations, Srinath pointed out, "Adaptability is key. I think each wicket is different and we cannot generalise conditions. What matters will be the tactical adaptability to a particular pitch and during various sessions during a day."
ON THE OTHER PACERS....
UMESH YADAV
For raw tempo, you might have Umesh. He may also be just right with each the brand new and the old ball if he will get the road and duration right. He can opposite the ball well in South Africa when the stipulations are dry. Swing within the air and motion off the seam would be the differentiator on this collection.
ISHANT SHARMA
Ishant has been just a little enigmatic together with his consistency, however this is a chance to turn out himself. Clearly, the captain has numerous self assurance and trust in him. That must in point of fact spur him. Ishant must paintings on his revel in and put a bowling technique in position.
MOHD SHAMI
He is a gradual bowler who skids the ball well.
JASPRIT BUMRAH
I think he's a unique bowler. His competence stems from his deceptive action. Apart from that, he's an excessively intelligent bowler. Playing T20 beneath pressure at an early degree in his career has ensured he has blossomed early. These are the younger speedy bowlers who have to get up and deliver.
HARDIK PANDYA
He has in point of fact been an asset. If India desires to move in with five bowlers, he walks in as a bowler. That offers super respite to the mainstay speedy bowlers who hunt in pairs. He brings with him the choice of enjoying 4 speedy bowlers. If that happens, then the bowling may also be circled superbly.
Bhuvneshwar should get lead role in South Africa: Srinath
Reviewed by Kailash
on
January 04, 2018
Rating: