Sairaj Bahutule. (Source – Twitter/X)
India’s interim bowling coach, Sairaj Bahutule, recently took center stage and revealed that the fans will see a lot more of Indian batters bowling in the matches. The beginning of new head coach Gautam Gambhir’s era has already seen the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh roll their arms in the T20I series.
Similarly, Shubman Gill came out to bowl in the first ODI against Sri Lanka, and the interim coach suggested that it was going to be the way forward for the Indian team.
It is worth noting that skipper Rohit Sharma was asked whether he would have a go at bowling at the toss during the ODI. However, Rohit opined that the Men in Blue had a good enough bowling arsenal. Gill, although given the ball in the 32nd over, conceded 14 runs as he was smacked for a six and a four.
“I think our batters are good bowlers as well. Their primary skill is batting, so they don’t focus much on bowling, but they have the skills, the more they will practice. Whenever they will be given an opportunity. Like we saw in the T20Is, the way Rinku and Suryakumar contributed and made India win the match. Similarly, Shubman Gill was given an opportunity and, in the coming time, it is definitely going to be an all-rounder’s game,” Sairaj Bahutule said in the post-match press conference as quoted by India Today.
Moving ahead, there will be ample opportunities for the batters to bowl: Sairaj Bahutule
Furthermore, Sairaj Bahutule also stated that if someone in the top five can bowl, it definitely helps the team, and in the future, there can be many such examples of batters rolling their arms over in the game.
“But if in the top four or five, if someone can bowl, that definitely helps the team. Moving forward, you will see more contributions. I think we can use our bowlers as per the situation and the pitch conditions. Somebody who can bowl as a batter, it can be a surprise element for the opponent. So, moving ahead, there will be ample opportunities for the batters to bowl,” Bahutule said.