Short balls will not test Indian batsman: Umesh
With Virat Kohli and Co getting tested by short deliveries, the focus is back on India’s weakness against chin music. West Indies captain Jason Holder on Wednesday said most batsmen struggle against good, short-pitched bowling and there is no doubt that they, having tasted blood, are going to go all out against the Indians. “We would like to certainly test them with short deliveries,” he said.
Kohli was dismissed by a short ball from his West Indian counterpart in the fourth ODI and was taken by surprise by a steep delivery in the third, failing to keep it down.
Others like Dhoni, Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane too were tested.
However, India pacer Umesh Yadav dismissed it as one-off. Yadav, who picked three in the last match, says that it was more of the wicket that caused them discomfort and not the batsmen’s inability.
“I don’t think (facing) short ball is a problem. It happened in the last match because the pitch was double paced, some balls were coming slow while some others were coming very quick. Otherwise there’s no problem. Everyone is adept at playing short balls,” he reasoned.
PROCESS IMPORTANT
Yadav said they have been playing good cricket and there is no cause to worry. “We are playing good cricket, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, we take positive from the previous match and trying to get better. We want to finish on the right note,” he added. Asked if it will be a disappointment were India to lose Thursday’s final ODI, Yadav said, “We are focussing on the processes, so we are trying our best. We are not thinking about what the result will be.” The wicket here at Kingston will support the batsmen if Holder’s assessment is to be believed. The West Indies skipper said that the Sabina Park pitch has been traditionally a batting paradise. About his own bowling, Umesh said that pace is everything for him as if it were not for his pace, he may not have been here. “I try to work on my swing, seam everything keeping my actual pace intact.”
We will be fearless in the final game. Last game was one of those games where it did not click. HARDIK PANDYA, India all-rounder