VISAKHAPATNAM : The Indian team went about their usual pre-match training routines at the YSR VDCA-ACA Cricket Stadium here on Tuesday in preparation for the second Test against England from Thursday. Throughout a game of football, they appeared to be cheerful and in high spirits.
But behind this, there was surely a lot of thought going on. In the first Test, England were the dominant side and with four centuries in two innings, they have made the Indian think-tank work hard on finding ways to do better this time around. This is the first Test here and it adds to the suspense. But who knows? A good show from KL Rahul and M Vijay may just be the boost India need.
But coach Anil Kumble felt taking wickets was important. “In the previous match, the fact that they got more wickets than our spinners doesn’t mean we will be at a loss,” he said on Tuesday. “We batted 160 overs. Here, we will make our strategy based on the pitch we get and we will select the team accordingly. We play to take 20 wickets and win matches. Whatever wicket we get, we will play on that.”
The Rajkot pitch was good for batting as four centuries came from England and two from India in the drawn match. “It was a challenge for the bowlers to pick up wickets because it was a good wicket to bat on. When you look at the last day, I don’t like to read too much into the batting that happened in those 70 overs. If (Cheteshwar) Pujara had taken the DRS, it probably would have been 170 for 1. It was a good Test match but unfortunately, we couldn’t get a result,” Kumble explained.
Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami were able to get some reverse swing in the first Test. Kumble felt it was due to the quality of the bowlers that India has and that the team should utilise it. “It’s just a matter of how the bowlers are capable of utilising that. Umesh and Shami did well in Rajkot and Bhuvneshwar (Kumar) against New Zealand as well. Our fast bowlers have been doing well and we will put together a plan depending on the condition of the pitch,” Kumble opined.
Speaking of bowling, the crucial factor India will have to consider is the return of James Anderson for England. “He has got 450 Test wickets and that’s experience. He has played here before and has been a very important player for England. If you need the experience and if someone is available, then it will be a stronger unit. KL Rahul is back for us. It will be good to have a full team on both sides for this match,” Kumble stated.
The former Indian leggie felt India’s catching needed to improve. “We let ourselves down when it came to the catching. This team really prides itself in fielding and catching. That’s something that we are obviously aware of going into this Test match,” he said.
vivekphadnis@newindianexpress.com