Though spin has been India's strength at home, the pacers' new-found aggression played a key role for Kohli & Co during their home season victories and this augurs well for overseas challenges
Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar
India's Umesh Yadav celebrates the fall of an Australian wicket on Day Three of the fourth Test at HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Monday. Pic/AFP
Dharamsala: Had India pacers Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar not breathed fire in their opening spells in Australia's second innings on Day Three of the fourth and final series-deciding Test at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium here on Monday, the complexion of the game, and more importantly, the 2-1 outcome of the high octane four-match series, could well have gone against the Indians.
ADVERTISEMENT
After India posted a 32-run first innings lead it was imperative that they don't let the visitors score big in their second innings. And some fiery pace and bounce and swing from Yadav and Kumar ensured the hosts made early inroads dismissing the Australian top-order of Matt Renshaw (8), David Warner (6) and in-form skipper Steven Smith (17) reducing them to 31-3 in 9.2 overs. The Aussies didn't recover and were bowled out for 137, setting India an easy 106-run victory target.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Achilles heel
While spin has traditionally been India's strength at home, skipper Virat Kohli admitted that his pace battery's new-found aggression was the key not just in this series but throughout the 13-Test home season, where the hosts prevailed 11 times. In fact, this now keeps the World No. 1 Test team on course to treating its Achilles heel — overseas challenges — felt Kohli.
“When teams prepare only for your spinners and our fast bowlers come in and bowl those kind of spells, it can really shake the opposition and that's exactly what these guys have been able to do,” Kohli said at the post-match press conference on Tuesday, going on to analyse his fast men.
“I would put Umesh and (Mohammad) Shami together (right up there), at par. On pure pace, striking ability and making dents in the game, Umesh on at par with Shami. From 2014 to now, for Umesh, the only thing that has changed is his mindset. He was always a very fit guy, he probably used to bowl even quicker than he is now, but he has understood his game and become smarter. He used to bowl 145kmph regularly, now he is touching 140kmph at times, but he is very smart with how he wants to bowl in spells. I wouldn't just say only Shami and Umesh, but Bhuvi, given the opportunities, has picked up fifers too. Ishant (Sharma) has been outstanding in West Indies, in Sri Lanka and whenever he has played. That's probably been the one factor that has been the difference in our winning all these series compared to drawing a few games,” explained the skipper.
Now, deliver abroad
Inevitably, Kohli is now looking at them delivering the goods abroad. “Few of the guys have told me that the kind of fast bowling bunch we have now, gives us a good chance to go outside India and put in good performances. I'm very sure and positive about the fact that these guys can deliver away from home and give you match-winning performances.
The fitness levels have gone up and the relentlessness bowling, the consistency, has improved, and there is a lot more desire in them to make things happen and be persistent for a long time. That's something they have built and credit goes to them. I'm sure they will be able to sustain this for longer periods when we go overseas, and not let the game drift away. I'm Pretty excited about what lies ahead for us as a team,” added Kohli.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
