Indian batsmen are known for their diverse batting skills and their ability to adapt to alien conditions. Considering all these factors, the incompetence against quality fast bowling or precisely short-pitch bowling still remains a mystery. This is not a new issue, this is prevailing since India played their maiden test. Indian cricket has contributed legendary players like Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and several other phenomenal players to the global arena. But when India plays against a quality fast bowling team, they succumb to it. There is no question about the talent and skills these players possess. Let’s see some of the roadblocks being faced by the Indian team.
Sluggish home tracks
This stands as the main barrier for India’s success against short-pitched bowling. India plays most of their home matches on spinner friendly wickets and this makes it difficult for them to counter short-pitched bowling on seamer-friendly foreign tracks. The counter point to this would be our bunch of quality spinners. This factor worked in the past since our pace battery was weak. We didn’t had any ‘Fast Bowlers’ apart from Kapil Dev and Javagal Srinath. Now the scenario is totally different. We have some world-class seamers like Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and RP Singh followed by some real performers who are waiting for their turn. It is quite simple; India doesn’t rely on spinners any more! If India wants to be the world-beaters, then our domestic wickets need revamp to make it sportive. This will also provide encouragement for young fast bowlers.
Backfoot Skills
For combating short-pitched bowling, basic quality required is foolproof backfoot shots especially, the cut, the pull and the hook. Without proper training and techniques these shots cannot be executed successfully and would end up in dismissal. VVS. Laxman is considered as a better player of pace amongst the Indian batsmen. His back foot shots and wrist work are really impeccable and that was the reason behind his success against Australia Down Under.
Positive mindset
This is required for success in any form of life. Indian batsmen need to bat with the mindset just like they bat in the Indian conditions. Mindset plays a pivotal role as we have seen the example set by Australia in mind game. Similar strategy should be adopted by India in their pursuit of success against short-pitched bowling.
In short, when all these factors are incorporated, the solution is found for battling the short-pitched bowling. Neither batsmen nor bowlers hold the edge in cricket. It is the competencies of each that lock horns. If your basics are good and have a positive frame of mind then your chances are high to succeed in the International arena, irrespective of bowling or batting.
