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In T20 games, they can easily be termed as fodder for the batsmen and they bear the pain unflinchingly which is more akin to the ‘Silence of the Lambs’. Bowlers… it is as if they are born to get hit by batsmen in the T20 format and the rules of the game have changed so much that there is no protection for them.
But being at the receiving end for so long, the bowlers have also devised plans and means to hit back at batsmen. Various types of ‘slower’ deliveries, the ‘knuckle’ ball, the ‘carrom’ ball, the ‘doosra’, reverse swing, ‘toe crushers’ and a few others have all come into play. On a typical batting pitch these weapons, most of the times, do not come in handy. But then, the moment there is something in the pitch, the game takes a different proposition altogether and cricket becomes more competitive.
The T20 Worlds starting in the second week of March will be another battle between bowlers and batsmen. And on this occasion, there is a strong possibility that at times the latter will come out second best. The heat will tend to loosen the top layer of the pitch, which in turn will be very helpful for the spinners. More than the batsmen, it will be the spinners, who will hold the key to success this time around. Orissa Post takes a look at some of the party poopers as the T20 Worlds is expected to be a one big party for batsmen.
Ravichandran Ashwin (India): Let us all be clear about one thing. Ashwin will have to play the most important role if India are to regain the trophy which they won in 2007. The Tamil Nadu off-spinner has been in tremendous form picking up 13 wickets in his last six matches. And save for the game against the Aussies at Sydney, he has always gone for less than seven in an over. And on Indian pitches, he has an economy of less than three against the Sri Lankans in the recently-concluded three-match series.
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Jasprit Bumrah (India): The rookie of Indian bowling however, will have to play a major role in India’s fortunes. With a chest-on action and the ability to bowl yorkers consistently Bumrah has solved MS Dhoni’s worries about ‘death’ bowling. He may get tonked for a few because of his inexperience, but as of now India cannot do without him because he has the ability to knock batsmen over.
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Ravindra Jadeja (India): The hosts will play two spinners and Jadeja will have to play the perfect foil to Ashwin to keep the opposition in check. Being quick in the air and with a round-arm action, Sir Jadeja is definitely a handful in Indian conditions. His fielding and lower-order batting are also a huge bonus to the side.
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Shahid Afridi (Pakistan): The T20 skipper of the Pakistan side is often referred to as the man with ‘Golden Arm’. Be it any form of the game, Afridi has the innate ability to pick up wickets at crucial junctures. In sub-continent conditions, he will be doubly effective with his quickish leg-breaks.
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Imran Tahir (South Africa): If South Africa are to break their big stage jinx (not having won a single World Cup in any format), Tahir will have to don a major role. Most South African skippers however have not shown the confidence that a leg-spinner needs, in him. Tahir is a wily customer and the dusty and dry Indian summer pitches will definitely help his cause.
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Dale Steyn (South Africa): In spite of a nagging injury that kept the pacer out of the major portion of the England series, the selectors have reposed their faith in the fast bowler. His rich IPL experience will come in handy for the team and Steyn has the ability to pick up wickets at crucial junctures.
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Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): On Indian pitches, Bangladesh’s vice-captain will be a handful. With his round-arm action (he is more of a Jadeja-type bowler), Shakib has been extremely successful in sub-continental conditions. Any bowler who has an economy rate of less than seven in T20 games can be called a crucial peg in the scheme of things.
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Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka): The ‘Slinger’ is his country’s primary weapon. He will be called upon to save runs, take wickets and most importantly not give the batsman any room to play their shots. Malinga is probably the only bowler in the world at present, who can constantly deliver fast and accurate yorkers at will. It makes him a match-winner in all conditions as yorkers do not need the help of pitches.
There may be unknown quantities in some of the other teams as far as bowling is concerned. Both England and Australia have a pretty inexperience bowling line-up, but who knows there will emerge a match-winner in the sub-continent from either of the two sides.
