Hamilton: His long hair blowing back in the wind, he steamed in again and again at the third batting net as India trained on Monday at Seddon Park ahead of the must-win fourth One-day international against New Zealand.
Ishant Sharma initially struck the ‘body’ a few times before aiming at the toe the struggling paceman, dropped for the third ODI in Auckland on Saturday that ended in a tie, was back honing his skills against the cardboard dummy. A team official put the target up every time it toppled over.
The irony was hard to miss. Left to purvey their trade in the shadow of their batsmen, India’s largely under-rated pace bowlers have had their moments while playing abroad. On pitches affording movement and bounce, they have been encouraged to produce the aggression that seldom pays off on home pitches.
But India have not won the last five matches, losing twice each in South Africa and New Zealand, after Dhoni elected to bowl each time. He has defended this tactic overseas, pointing to the current ODI rules (introduced in October, 2012) that offer little protection to the bowlers as only four fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle. It was five, but the change was made to inject more excitement in the wake of the T20 upsurge.
But it is more damage limitation by India, looking to defend the World Cup in New Zealand and Australia early next year, than dynamic play. And Kiwi skipper, Brendon McCullum, is waiting for his luck to change with the toss.
India Squad: MS Dhoni*, VR Aaron, R Ashwin, STR Binny, S Dhawan, RA Jadeja, V Kohli, B Kumar, A Mishra, Mohammed Shami, IC Pandey, AM Rahane, SK Raina, AT Rayudu, I Sharma, RG Sharma
New Zealand Squad: BB McCullum*, CJ Anderson, HK Bennett, MJ Guptill, MJ McClenaghan, NL McCullum, KD Mills, JDS Neesham, L Ronchi†, JD Ryder, TG Southee, LRPL Taylor, KS Williamson
Bureau Report
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