Published: Sep 25, 2015, 12:01 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 25, 2015, 12:01 PM (IST)
Praveen Kumar may not be playing for India since a very long time, however, Uttar Pradesh pacer knows exactly what will be going through South Africa’s premier batsman AB de Villiers’ mind when the visitors tour India for five One-Day Internationals (ODIs), three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) and four Tests. Speaking to Indian Express, Praveen feels that De Villiers will be expecting six different deliveries to be bowled at him and will be waiting for the bowlers to experiment with him. Having played together for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the past, Praveen feels that bowling good length deliveries to De Villiers is the best option. MS Dhoni one of greatest one-day captain-player to play cricket: Ravi Shastri
“AB is expecting you to bowl six different deliveries at him. He is waiting for you to experiment with your lines and lengths because he then can hit you anywhere he pleases. I have always believed in bowling good length to him. Six balls on the same spot with unwavering accuracy. You cannot try to beat him at his own game. He wants you to get overawed, but you cannot afford to let him dictate your mindset,” Praveen said. Suresh Raina can take over MS Dhoni’s role as finisher in ODIs and T20Is for India
“It’s important that you are not looking at what he’s doing at the crease. He will move around, jump at you and try to get into your mind. But your job is to simply look at that spot where you want to pitch the ball. Ideally, three-quarter length on fourth stump and angling in towards his stumps. You need to have a Plan B of course, but more often than not you are better off executing Plan A, regardless of how he’s trying to put you off,” Praveen added. South Africa will rely on Steyn, Morkel & Philander in Test series vs India: Meyrick Pringle
Pawan Negi, who has been selected for the India A warm-up Twenty20 (T20) match against South Africa, feels the spinners need to keep bowling in the good areas. Yuzvendra Chahal spoke about his own strength and how he can use them against the star batsman.
“I just have to bowl in good areas. If he hits a six from a good area that is his class but if he manages to scoop it, then it is our benefit,” Negi said.
“Obviously he is a legend and is capable of hitting 360 degrees, so I will stick to my strengths rather than thinking what his strength area is. Variation is my strength and will bowl googlies, straighter ones alongside my stock deliveries,” Chahal added.
“But the secret is in attacking his stumps. I do not believe in bowling wide yorkers to AB. You cannot contain him. You have to get him out, and the only way to do that is by bowling straight. At the most you could mix up your pace but a perfect yorker can get even a batsman of his class out. Don’t try to double-bluff him. If you are setting a field for a ball, focus on executing that very delivery to the best of your ability,” Praveen added.
