There has been a lot of criticism regarding the Indian bowling unit’s capability of taking 20 wickets in a test to win in South African conditions following India’s 1st test defeat against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 in Centurion. Gary Kirtsten, the Indian coach,
is expecting a lot from the bowlers and is quite confident that his bowling unit will bounce back and turn every criticism wrong, and prove their capability of being effective in all conditions. Kirsten seems quite happy as Zaheer Khan returns to bolster the
struggling bowling side who also looks fit and eager. Zaheer Khan is an experienced spearhead pace bowler who’s inclusion in the team will also help bowlers to take wickets and build pressure on South African batting line up.
Gary Kirsten, while expressing his views about criticisms of Indian bowling unit’s capability, said that to win a match one needs to take 20 wickets in a test match that Indian bowlers have done so many times in all conditions in last three years, so there
is no question of capability. He went on to say that one thing that we need to focus on is the planning and unity to devise alternatives by working collectively that Indian bowlers require to handle the different conditions while they are on field. He further
said about the conditions that a first look of the pitch entails that it should help bowlers but two days are still remaining before the 2nd test starts on Boxing Day at Durban so nothing definite can be said about conditions. He also said that
if it rains before the match starts then conditions would be same as in Centurion and batting might be very difficult for which batsmen should be prepared.
Kirsten giving an overview over mistakes of last defeat in Centurion said that it was very difficult to bat on such a wicket like in Centurion and Indian team was atlast short of 100 runs after they went through a disastrous first day. The
batting unit has prepared themselves well to handle such a wicket again if provided and made their minds to get the best out of whatever surface they bat on. Players seem to be determined to give their best with the bat and ball as more defeats in this series
will result in them losing their top spot in Test rankings, as this series has already been regarded as the decider of the top ranking in Test cricket.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gary-Kirsten-c58527 believes that a big score in the first innings is very important as he said that a score of 400 or close to it ensures that the team is atleast out of pressure which is itself very important to win a test match. All six batsmen
of the Indian top order batting line up are capable of putting a big score on the board and if at least one of them makes a hundred and helps to get a collective score of 400 or close to it in first innnings then bowlers will automatically be out of pressure
and bowl to their full potential. To make a score close to 400, atleast one batsman needs to remain on pitch for a decent amount of time which will also give others an opportunity to settle.
On the other hand, the sun has made a welcome appearance in Durban since Tuesday and it looks like the wicket will not behave the way it behaved in Centurion given it gets enough sun till Boxing Day.
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