‘Spin bowling has evolved’ – Sairaj Bahutule elaborates on scope of spinners in T20 format

‘Spin bowling has evolved’ – Sairaj Bahutule elaborates on scope of spinners in T20 format. (Source – BCCI)

The third T20I of the ongoing series between South Africa and India is set to take place at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday, November 13. The first couple of games have helped the oppositions level the series, as India drubbed at the hands of the Proteas in the previous fixture, as the batting unit failed to fire. Now, the winner of the latest upcoming clash will make sure that they don’t lose the series.

Meanwhile, Sairaj Bahutule, who is currently with Men in Blue as interim bowling coach for the ongoing series against the Proteas, feels that the role of spinners has changed considerably in the white-ball format, especially T20Is. Reflecting on how the spinners bowled in the second encounter while defending a paltry target set at the St. George’s Park, Gqeberha, Bahutule further explained the actual role of a spinner in this format of the game.

“Spin bowling has evolved. You have to be brave, you have to be courageous. 24 balls is something which they need to really understand that each ball is an event. The last game was very good, I think, in terms of our bowling. The players, the fielders and the bowlers did a fabulous job defending 124 runs,” said Bahutule in a video posted by BCCI.

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The 51-year-old also feels that there is very less to teach the squad in terms of the skill set, since a majority of them boast a strong experience of playing in the Indian Premier League as well as internationals. According to Bahutule, it helps the coaching staff to not try and change too much and let the players play to their strengths. 

“I think they are experienced players. They have played a lot of IPL and international cricket. But from our side, we try and keep it very simple and just make sure that they play to their strengths and best of their ability,” Bahutule added.

“All the execution, whatever is needed from us, has been fulfilled, and I think they’re looking forward to the third T20 and hopefully get the series in our way,” the Mumbai-born concluded.

Watch the video here:

Nobody thinks 124 can be defended but we came pretty close to that: Hrishikesh Kanitkar

Meanwhile, India’s interim batting coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar has said that all the players are high on confidence because of the match preparations and awareness that is specifically required in the 20-over format.

“Nobody usually thinks that 124 or something like that can be defended, but we came pretty close to that. It’s only about the choices you make. The areas you look to hit the big shots. The balls you choose to hit the big shots. So the conversations are on those things,” said Kanitkar.

They (The players) are all confident the way they are playing. They’ve played a lot of T20 cricket. They know the intricacies of the T20 game,” he concluded.