Ahead of SA tie, rain puts India’s strategic plans in limbo

Southampton, June 3

The fickle English weather has left the Indians fretting over their bowling combination for their World Cup opener against South Africa. The Ageas Bowl pitch in Southampton is expected to be flat and South African batsmen’s weakness against the slow bowlers makes it likely that Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal  (in pic) would play against them. However, a spell of rain today and forecast of cloudy weather and showers on Wednesday have brought Bhuvneshwar Kumar into the equation and the team may trust three specialist speedsters to do the job for them against South Africa.

In that case, the team will have to leave out either Yadav or Chahal, and also decide which allrounder between Kedar Jadhav and Vijay Shankar to include in the XI. South Africa’s record against the two wrist-spinners during India’s tour of that country was below-par, with most of their players unable to pick them off their wrists. On that 2018 tour of South Africa, Yadav grabbed 17 wickets from six games while Chahal had one less from an equal number of matches.

Virat Kohli’s propensity to go for the kill is precisely the reason he would like to prefer attacking options like ‘Kul-Cha’, as they are fondly known. Whatever little grass was there on the pitch has been shaved off and the track resembles a typical Subcontinental strip, on which much lateral movement can’t be expected. The grounds in England, equipped with superb drainage systems, dry out quickly and unless there is persistent rain, there is no possibility that the wicket may have underlying moisture that could help the ball to move even in sunny conditions. The forecast for Wednesday shows a maximum temperature of 17 degree Celsius, with a partly cloudy sky and a chance of rain.

If the choice comes between Yadav and Chahal, the Chinaman might get the preference over the wiry Haryana leggie despite the former’s poor form in recent times. Ravindra Jadeja had two good warm-up games but he is seen more as a restrictive option who can be more effective against England or Pakistan. The other problem will be the choice between a fit-again Jadhav and Vijay. Vijay had two bad warm-up games but that will count for little considering the ability he has shown with the bat. — PTI

Many Pak players want to emulate Virat: Younis

London: Virat Kohli is the role model for many budding Pakistani players and they want to emulate the Indian skipper’s playing style and his body language, revealed former Pakistan captain Younis Khan. “Virat Kohli is also loved by Pakistanis. Today many Pakistan players want to play like Kohli and be fit like him and have his body language,” Younis said. Younis said Kohli will have a big role to play in India’s success at the World Cup. “Even in the Asia Cup where he did not play, the stadiums weren’t jampacked. He is a big factor for India in the World Cup,” said Younis. India will square off against archrivals Pakistan at Old Trafford in Manchester on June 16. 

People talk about arrogance but it is about believing in yourself. It is like having the keys to your home. Virat Kohli has something similar now (knows all the entry and exits). I had it in my time, he has it now. The confidence he is blessed with, you can’t get that overnight. Either it’s instilled in you or you are born with it. It’s not arrogance, he fancies himself against anybody in the world and that I think is the right way to play  — Sir Vivian Richards