Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has given his say on the method to get Smith out early. Sachin says that Smith has a quite unconventional batting style which has troubled bowlers all around the World for past few years. But the bowlers have found some weakness in his batting and have started to bowl him a bit short. This was seen in the Ashes last year. Kiwi pacers also tried the same and Neil Wagner was effective to get him out constantly at the leg side field in their tour to Australia last year.
But the Australian dugout is comfortable with bouncers as Smith says he is ready for all the bouncers bowled at him. The assistant coach of Australia also said that the short ball will not be of any use this time as they have worked on it and Smith is ready to face them.
Master Blaster has gave his advice to the Indian bowling contingent to bowl between the fourth and fifth stump outside off to get him nick the ball earlier. The bowlers should make a imaginary area which be outside off stump where an imaginary fourth and fifth stump would be placed and try to bowl as many times as they can to him to get him out. With Smith’s stance, he usually shuffles in during the delivery of ball which makes the fourth stump ball within his range to hit. The area between fourth and fifth stump would make him to reach the ball, that’s where Sachin feels Smith would give them a nick of bat and would be caught at the first or second slip.
He added that this bowling line up knows what to do at what position. He also went on to say that this is the best bowling line up India has seen so far.
But he didn’t back down from praising the opposition’s strength and said that this won’t be like the previous tour back in 2018-19. This time they will have a power packed batting line with Warner at the opening position, Smith at no. 4 and the inform Labuschagne at no.3. Hence they can’t go with the same plan. Australia has been doing great in the tests as they have recently toppled India from the top position in the WTC points table as per the new rules.
Sachin also added that Virat Kohli’s absence is a big thing in this tour. Virat won’t be part of the team for the last three tests. But Sachin feels that this while being a big blow for team, it is great opportunity for youngsters to step up and make their mark here. With reports coming about Rohit also missing it will be good for them to show their talent. The kind of bench strength India has, it is not easy to select which player gets to play and which doesn’t. He feels that if Rohit Sharma is not joining the team, then he says that Rahul or Shaw are great options to open with Mayank. But to select between those two, Sachin has left that to the management to see who is in more form for that role.
The test series will begin from 17th December, with the first test being played at the Adelaide which will be a day/night test.
