By: Tarish Bhatt
Pitched in the middle stump, three-quarter length from the batsman, who would have to stretch fully to reach out to the away going spin. Either the pitch offered some extra bounce or the wicket offered some extra spin.
Thereafter it was enough to send back the Sri Lankan batsman one after the another. This was the modus operandi Ravindra Jadeja used in Colombo. It also paid dividends as India clinched the 2nd Test and the series.
It’s almost become a habit for Jadeja to purchase his wickets in similar fashion at home. Unfortunately, this one-dimensional bowling technique may not yield much of a success away from home.
Jadeja’s line of attack has become obvious. That’s why he can’t replicate his Test success in shorter formats. The worst thing which can happen to a cricketer in being predictable.
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If you are constantly not changing your line of attack, chances of getting success is absolutely not there. The Indian spinners haven’t had much success away from home because they become too predictable overseas.
Anil Kumble too faced similar challenges after conquering the home front. But towards the fag end of his career, he learnt to adapt himself and emerged as a success in Australia and England.
Similar, Jadeja would have to work harder to match Kumble’s standard. The only spinner who came close to bowling and evolving in Australia was Ravichandran Ashwin.
But again, he wasn’t a successful campaigner there. Therefore, it’s important for the Indian spinners to experiment and try out new avenues to bother the opposition to secure their future.
