Challenging to face a left-arm pacer: Rohit
MUMBAI: There is no doubt this is one of the most potent pace attacks India has had in a long time. In Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Hardik P andy a and Is han tS harm a, India has a rich reservoir of talent. The only missing link is a left-arm pace bowler.
The topic has come up because it’ s the only department where New Zealand will have an edge in the ODIs starting Sunday. Trent Boult gives the New Zealand attack that advantage, feels India vice- captain R oh it S harm a. Bo ult had got Rohit out twice in the closely fought last series in October, taking six wickets. “The last time India had a leftarm seamer was a long time back. It hinkZa he er Khan was the last to play in OD Is. For us as a batting unit, it will be a challenge to face a left arm seamer. Trent Boult is one of their prime left-arm fast bowlers. It will be a huge challenge for all batters to come good against,” Rohit said. Since Zaheer last played an ODI in 2012 India have had ad earth of left-arm pacers. They tried Jaydev Unadkat, but the experiment lasted seven ODIs, ending in 2013. Boult has warmed up for the contest, claiming 5/38 in the first warmup match. “We played them last time so we know what they bring to the table, and what they are capable of as a bowling unit. It’s not about one leftarm sea mer. They had avery similar bowling attack (last year).” India won that series 3-2. One battle everyone is looking forward to is R oh it versus the Kiwi new-ball attack. He is in fine form, having averaged 76, 75.50 and 59.20 in his last three series. Rohit said: “I want to keep going. The hunger will never go, you will take every series as an opportunity. Every series I play, I feel it is the first game of my career. That’s the kind of pressure that comes with the spot.”