India’s Preparation for Ireland Series Questioned
Former India player Ambati Rayudu has indicated that India‘s 0-2 T20I series defeat to Ireland was a result of insufficient preparation for the challenging conditions. Rayudu, who represented India in 55 ODIs and six T20Is, stated that the team was under-prepared for the assignment, particularly highlighting issues faced by batter Tilak Varma on slower wickets.
Rayudu explained that transitioning from the flat pitches typically found during the Indian Premier League (IPL) to the more spongy wickets with lateral movement in Ireland proved difficult for the team. He noted that many players are accustomed to fast bat-swings, and their control of the down-swing became a significant concern under these different conditions.
The second T20I match against Ireland saw India lose by just one run at the Stormont Cricket Ground in Belfast. This victory secured the series for Ireland with a 2-0 lead.
Varma’s Batting on Slower Pitches Under Scrutiny
Ambati Rayudu specifically addressed Tilak Varma‘s performance, suggesting that his lack of footwork against slower bowlers needs attention. Rayudu observed that Varma‘s game against slow bowling on slow surfaces has been a struggle for some time, particularly when the ball does not come onto the bat effectively.
During India‘s narrow loss on Sunday, Varma scored 55 runs off 46 deliveries. Rayudu pointed out that while it was a valiant effort, the knock did not provide the necessary momentum for the team. He believes that Varma‘s strike-rate issues stem from technical limitations rather than his mental approach.
Rayudu elaborated that Varma tends to favour accessing the square boundaries against spinners, which requires the ball to come on well to the bat. He suggested that Varma does not use his feet as much as needed in such situations. Additionally, Rayudu mentioned that Varma does not sweep on the pitch of the ball and employs unconventional shots. Improving these aspects of his game, according to Rayudu, would naturally lead to an improved ability to raise the tempo.
Rayudu also commented on the limited time players have between series to work on their batting, which he believes contributes to their struggles in adapting to varying conditions.
Patience Advised for Young Talent Sooryavanshi
Regarding the young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ambati Rayudu cautioned against rushing him into the national side. He emphasised the importance of giving seasoned openers, who have performed well and won the World Cup, ample opportunities first.
Rayudu believes that Sooryavanshi‘s current experience in the India dressing room is valuable for learning about the team environment, expectations, and his potential role. He stated that these learnings on the tour would ultimately benefit the youngster. However, Rayudu would not rush Sooryavanshi into a bilateral series simply because India lost a couple of games.
Rayudu acknowledged that playing on such pitches is a significant challenge for the Indian team. However, he expressed that he is not overly concerned about the loss to Ireland ahead of the five-match T20I series against England. He noted that the wickets in England are expected to be considerably better than those encountered in Ireland. The first T20I between England and India is scheduled for July 1, from 10:00 PM IST.
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Source: m.rediff.com
