NAGPUR: Talks on seaming conditions and Indian batsmen struggling to play in them have been going on for ages.
A disastrous start to the ODI series against Sri Lanka gave India a taste of what they can expect in South Africa in January. Like in Kolkata in the first Test, batsmen were found wanting against the moving ball in Dharamsala.
One of the most applauded cricketers in the domestic circuit who could not make it to the international level, Amol Muzumdar is of the opinion that the Decision Review System (DRS) is one of the factors that makes batsmen vulnerable to the “moving” ball.
On Sunday, opener Shikhar Dhawan was given out leg-before using the technology after the on-field umpire had ruled not out. In a chat with Express, Muzumdar spoke about the referral system, and its effect.
“Ever since DRS came into the picture, you cannot take your foot towards the ball. A few years back, batsmen could do that with little hesitation. We were not given out when we did that. To adjust to the new technology, batsmen are putting their feet away from the ball, and that makes them vulnerable in seaming conditions. That is why batsmen have had to change their techniques,” the veteran of 171 first-class matches said.
“In our days, we were taught to get in line with the ball, and we did that with no fear in mind, thinking that to the naked eye of the umpire, it would be very difficult to judge every time,” the former batsman added.
At the VCA Stadium as commentator for the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal between Mumbai and Karnataka, which the former lost by a huge margin of an innings and 20 runs, the 43-year-old said that even marginal swing can trouble batsmen these days.
“Even a little bit of movement in the air is enough to do the damage. I do not see anyone who would go on and play swinging balls comfortably,” he remarked.
“The ball has been moving for hundreds of years. You have to learn to adjust to it since it is supposed to swing, and batsmen are supposed to tackle it.” For that, he prescribes practice in different conditions, for quick adjustment.
Other than Murali Vijay, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, batsmen of the current Indian lot don’t have a good record in places where the ball does something. Irrespective of whether South Africans prepare pitches remembering the rank turners rolled out for them in India 2015, Kohli & Co can expect pace and bounce. Facets of batsmanship not tested on Indian pitches will be in for examination.
vishal@newindianexpress.com
Ranji scores
In Jaipur: Bengal 354 & 695/6 (W Chatterjee 216, A Majumdar 132 n.o) vs Gujarat 224. Bengal won on 1st innings lead.
In Vijayawada: MP 338 & 283 lost to Delhi 405 & 217/3 (K Chandela 57, G Gambhir 95).
In Surat: Vidarbha 246 & 507/9 decl (KC Akshay 4/118) bt Kerala 176 & 165 (A Sarwate 6/41).