IND vs ENG | Just as a result of the ball turns, doesn’t suggest it is a unhealthy wicket: Anshuman Gaekwad

Image Source : BCCI India skipper Virat Kohli
Former India batsman Anshuman Gaekwad was thought-about a ‘wall’ throughout his enjoying days for his capacity to bat with persistence and willpower, be at Sabina Park in Jamaica in opposition to a livid West Indies tempo assault, or in opposition to Pakistan on a Jallandhar pitch the place batting was tough.

Gaekwad, additionally a former India coach and chief selector, spoke to IANS on the second and third India-England Tests, performed in Chennai and Morera, wherein batsmen struggled. It got here as no shock {that a} lack of persistence — a top quality that Gaekwad oozed on the crease — dissatisfied him.

Excerpts:

How do you play on pitches just like the one in Motera, Ahmedabad?

Never play for activate such wickets. On a superb wicket, you possibly can decide a line and put your bat there, the ball will come and hit your bat straight. But right here, if you find yourself undecided if the ball will come straight or flip, it’s at all times good to play for a straight ball as a result of even when it turns, then you’ll almost definitely get solely overwhelmed. But in the event you play for the flip, then you’re leaving an enormous void between bat and pad. Also, you do not push the bat in direction of the ball. Keep it near the pad. Don’t take it away out of your physique. If you do, you’ll find yourself in bother.

Do you suppose the batting was poor within the third Test in Motera?

Both sides’ batsmen batted extraordinarily poorly. All those that obtained out, in keeping with me, they obtained themselves out. Those weren’t wicket-taking balls. They obtained out enjoying unhealthy pictures. In the final [third] Test match, in the event you see, out of 30 wickets, 21-22 fell to straight balls.

You noticed all the highest batsmen stretching however not totally. On a turning observe, it’s important to stretch full as a result of that manner you possibly can reduce down on the spin. You do not let it flip. If you get near the ball, you do not let it flip. Picking the road is essential. You do not go throughout or go away from the road.

How robust is sweeping on these wickets?

It all will depend on how good you’re at sweeping. Normally, you sweep the ball which is exterior the off-stump or exterior the leg-stump. If you sweep a straight ball, the second you miss you’re gone. Your judgement must be very, very excellent so far as sweeping is worried.

On such tracks not simply sweeping but in addition enjoying a canopy drive, a sq. drive, late reduce, on-drive, every part must be exact. If you’re unsure, you simply do not play a shot. Both Indian and English batsmen performed predetermined pictures, the way in which they obtained out. They would come on the front-foot and play for the flip however they left a variety of hole between bat and pad they usually obtained out.

What is the most secure shot to play on such surfaces?

You have to attend for the unfastened ball. If you aren’t getting it, then attempt ones and twos, i.e. rotate the strike. I’d say that the easiest way is to rotate the strike. That manner you disturb the bowler additionally. See, bowlers usually are not bowling machines. They will attempt one thing completely different, bowl a brief ball, a half-volley. It is all about persistence. You must tire the bowlers and bat patiently. Make the bowler suppose and when he makes a mistake, rating runs.

What made somebody like Rohit Sharma click on? He made scoring look really easy.

Rohit obtained runs as a result of his shot choice was good. He performed sweep pictures, he performed cowl drive, he lifted the ball, performed sq. cuts. You must be very fast whereas making adjustment for these pictures.

That can occur solely if you’re good at studying the road and trajectory of the ball. Then solely you’re going to get into an accurate place to play a shot. Otherwise, you’re going to get caught and discover scoring tough. You must place your self both to defend, to depart or play a shot. But it’s important to be fast. You can’t be 50-50.

When unsure you do not have to play a shot, you simply defend. On such wickets, you possibly can’t play half-cocked. A batsman has to utilize the crease. Space must be used.

How would you price the pitch for the third Test?

I do not suppose it was a nasty wicket. Just as a result of the ball turns, doesn’t suggest it’s a unhealthy wicket. But I believed the pitch for the second Test was tougher than the one for the third Test. You might see mud flying. [Even there] Ashwin and Rohit obtained a whole lot. Kohli and Rahane obtained runs. So, in the event you play effectively you possibly can rating runs on such wickets