Former Indian wicket-keeper batsman Deep Dasgupta believes the Indian bowlers will need to come out with a plan for the tail-enders. The Indian bowling unit has taken giant strides at the top level but they have had issues while dismissing the tailenders of the opposition in a jiffy.
The lower order of the opposition has given a tough time to the Indian bowlers and the same was on show in the World Test Championship final against New Zealand. India had put their noses in front as New Zealand were reduced to 162-6 in their first innings.
However, the last four wickets of the Kiwis went on to score 87 runs, which is a big score in a low scoring game. Kyle Jamieson contributed with 21 runs whereas Tim Southee frustrated the Indian bowlers as he scored 30 runs. It turned out to be a match turning moment as New Zealand were able to get a crucial lead of 32 runs in the first innings.
In fact, India had a chance of dismissing the Kiwis under 200 but the Virat Kohli-led team was not able to grab it.
Deep Dasgupta said on his YouTube Channel, “New Zealand’s last five wickets fetched 100+ runs in the first innings. In an innings of 250, that counts as a lot. They have to come out with a plan for this (tail-enders scoring against India).”
The renowned commentator reckons that India’s bowlers try to be more aggressive while bowling to the lower order and they should stick to the basics.
“Sometimes I feel Indian bowlers become ultra-aggressive while trying to pick the final few wickets. The tail-enders tend to play their shots, rarely you’ll see them trying to block everything. They all play their shots. Maybe Indian bowlers can get a bit defensive with their line and length, like how they do in white-ball cricket. Whatever it is, they have to come with a plan because getting rid of that lower order and tail is becoming a perpetual issue for Indian bowlers.”
Interestingly, India’s tailenders were not able to collectively score that many runs in two innings which New Zealand tailenders scored in the first essay.
Dasgupta also felt Mohammed Shami was trying too hard to get his five-wicket haul and conceded more runs in an attempt to do so.
“Another issue in this game was that Mohammed Shami had already picked up four wickets and I felt like he was looking for his fifth wicket. During that phase, he ended up conceding around 25 runs in his 2-3 overs. Maybe he was trying too much while targeting a five-wicket-haul.”
