(Source X)
India’s interim bowling coach, Sairaj Bahutule, has announced that the team’s batters will be contributing more with the ball in upcoming matches. Recently, players like Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, and Suryakumar Yadav were seen bowling during the series against Sri Lanka.
In the third T20I against Sri Lanka, Rinku Singh and Suryakumar Yadav delivered the last two overs, leading to a dramatic tie. Their combined performance of 4 runs for 8 wickets in those overs took the match to a Super Over, which India ultimately won.
Sairaj Bahutule introduces a new role for India’s batsmen.
During the press conference following the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka, Sairaj Bahutule disclosed that Indian batters will be given opportunities to bowl in the matches. He highlighted the performances of Rinku Singh and Suryakumar Yadav, whose pivotal two overs were instrumental in securing a victory for India in the third T20I.
“I think our batters are good bowlers as well. Their primary skill is batting, so they don’t focus much on bowling, but they have the skills. The more they will practice. Whenever they will be given an opportunity. Like we saw in the T20Is, the way Rinku and Suryakumar contributed and made India win the match. Similarly, Shubman Gill was given an opportunity and, in the coming time, it is definitely going to be an all-rounder’s game,” Bahutule said.
Sairaj Bahutule says having a top-five batsman bowl can be beneficial.
Bahutule also mentioned that having a batter who can bowl will benefit the team significantly. He emphasized that employing a part-time bowler can serve as a strategic surprise for the opposing batsmen.
“But if in the top four or five, if someone can bowl, that definitely helps the team. Moving forward, you will see more contributions. I think we can use our bowlers as per the situation and the pitch conditions. Somebody who can bowl as a batter, it can be a surprise element for the opponent. So, moving ahead, there will be ample opportunities for the batters to bowl,” he said.
India has long faced challenges in finding effective part-time bowling options. Since the retirements of Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina, the team has struggled to find reliable part-time bowlers, which has led to several setbacks. Although Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli used to bowl earlier in their careers, both have since ceased due to injury concerns.
In the third T20I against Sri Lanka, the situation seemed dire with Sri Lanka needing just 9 runs from 12 balls and having 6 wickets in hand. However, Rinku Singh’s crucial 2 wickets for 3 runs in the penultimate over, coupled with Suryakumar Yadav’s 2 wickets for 5 runs in the final over, managed to level the game.
During the Super Over, Sri Lanka struggled and lost both their wickets for just 2 runs. This left India needing 3 runs to win. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav secured the victory by sweeping the first ball to short fine leg, where a misfield allowed the ball to reach the boundary, sealing the win for India.
