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 Pandya and Ishant Sharma, 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 Rohit Sharma. Boult 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. I think Zaheer Khan was the last to play in ODIs. 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 a dearth 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 seamer. They had a very similar bowling attack (last year).” India won that series 3-2. One battle everyone is looking forward to is Rohit 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.”