India has been very unconventional in its team selection. When they arrived in West Indies, they decided to pick three left-arm spinners. Which is not something we usually see among the teams.
The leading aspect of this T20 World Cup, going forward, will be spin bowling. How teams cope with spin is the key. However, there are some like Jasprit Bumrah or Pat Cummins whom you would refer to as seasoned fast bowlers that can win games under any conditions; nevertheless it’s the slow bowlers who will have their way in this tournament.
Captain Rohit Sharma has been quite clear about his approach to this World Cup that might as well be his last one as a captain – he does not care for reputations and he picks on instinct and form on the day. So it’s Ravindra Jadeja. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav together unless there are seamer-friendly conditions available as Rohit explained after Thursday’s win.
However much Jadeja, Axar and Kuldeep may seem similar since they are all left-armers, this is not always true. In respect of Jadeja and Axar, the release points differ because Gujarat man is taller than him. Therefore bounce and angles produced by them are different at times also use of crease is different too.
While Jadeja pushes up closer to the stumps while delivering. Axar prefers staying slightly outside off stump when releasing the ball. On other hand there are many distinctions between them in relation to release point such as heights from ground level. While delivering a ball thus appropriate use of crease simultaneously .
Although both Kuldeep and Jadeja start doing their stuff after Powerplay overs have just come to an end. Axar sometimes bowls within first six overs when nine fielders are still within close-in catching positions.
I could bowl within power play overs 1-6, middle overs 15th or 16th. My captain can call me at any time because I know my role well. When it comes to that, my plan is to understand the needs of my team then if wickets are required, I go for them and if we have to defend, I will do that,” Axar said.
The left-arm bowler revealed this with reference to his excellent 16th over against Pakistan in New York which completely changed the game.
“In that game, I felt that if I give less runs in the 16th over, that would be very good for the team. So, basically according to the situation, I plan my bowling,” Axar said.
However Jadeja is almost similar except he plays a slightly restricted role between overs seven and fifteen. He has been doing it for CSK for quite some time now and if he can replicate his IPL performances in this World Cup then India means business.
