It was a method that ultimately appeared to have harm India within the semifinal on a flat wicket at Adelaide, as England coasted to a 169-run chase with out loss.
India would need to keep away from an identical destiny within the 50-over World Cup in India later this 12 months. Preferring to beef up their batting down the order, they’re experimenting within the ongoing ODI sequence in opposition to New Zealand at house by sacrificing a real tempo bowler in Umran Malik for an allrounder in Shardul Thakur.
Thakur is an sincere trier-it was he who ultimately dismissed Michael Bracewell (140) within the closing over within the opening ODI at Hyderabad with a yorker on leg stump.
Shardul Thakur (AP Photo)
Malik’s absence, although, has left the assault with out that ‘X’ issue by way of sheer tempo, with solely Siraj offering it with some spark. Though he has received a few Tests in opposition to Australia and England with heroic half-centuries, Thakur hasn’t been at his finest with the bat within the ODIs. In the final 5 ODIs, Thakur’s scores have been 2, 7 & 3 (vs Bangladesh) & 3 (vs New Zealand).
In 32 ODIs, the Mumbaikar’s common is nineteen.50, with only one fifty. Thakur is a much better batsman than these numbers present him to be, however are India compromising a missile for a pistol?
Defending the choice to play Thakur forward of Malik because of the former’s batting abilities, India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey mentioned, “That’s (his batting) is one of the reasons, the way he bats, Shardul adds batting depth to the team as an all-round option. He has performed very well for India in the past. That decision (choice between Malik and Thakur) depends on the surface also. You look at your combination depending on every surface.”
Umran Malik (IANS Photo)
However, the Indian workforce administration appears to be satisfied with the 150-plus tempo choice that Malik brings to the desk.
“The way he (Malik) has progressed, it is very heartening to see. Pace does matter and adds a different dimension to the attack. The decision of playing him will depend on the surface and requirement of the team combination. He is very much in the scheme of things as far as the ODI World Cup is concerned. He adds a lot of value to the team,” Mhambrey mentioned.
Perhaps, India are attempting to repeat the Kiwi template right here. During their wonderful 162-run partnership for the seventh wicket within the opening ODI at Hyderabad, Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner confirmed how New Zealand have large batting depth until No 8.
‘Siraj has reworked his abilities into white-ball cricket’ Complimenting Mohammed Siraj for his current performances, Mhambrey mentioned, “I’m extremely happy with the way he’s performed. I have seen him from the India A set up. He did exceedingly well with the red ball. He has transformed his skills and experience into white-ball cricket. He used to get the ball in but has worked on his seam position to get the ball away.”