Former Indian cricketer and batting coach, Sanjay Bangar, has shared valuable advice for Indian batters in their encounters with left-arm seam bowlers. Bangar emphasizes the significance of focusing on scoring runs between mid-off and mid-on or mid-wicket areas, coupled with maintaining a precise head position when facing these bowlers.
The challenge posed by left-arm bowlers has been evident for Indian batters in ICC events over the past decade. Instances like Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson of Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 semi-finals, Mohammed Amir of Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final, Trent Boult of New Zealand in the ICC CWC 2019 semi-final, and Shaheen Afridi of Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 Group Stage match have exposed vulnerabilities, particularly during the powerplay phase.
Speaking on the Star Sports show “Follow The Blues,” Sanjay Bangar provided insights into Rohit Sharma’s preparation for the upcoming clash against Shaheen Afridi on September 2, 2023.
Bangar highlighted the limited opportunities batters get to face the angle presented by left-arm bowlers due to the prevalence of right-hand bowling pairs. He stressed the significance of the angle when a left-arm bowler operates close to the stumps and angles the ball inwards toward right-hand batsmen.
The former cricketer explained, “For effective play against such angles, one should aim between mid-off and mid-on/mid-wicket areas. Maintaining the right head position is crucial for targetting the bowler effectively. Batsmen should focus on these specific areas to enhance their positioning and ability against angle bowling.”
As India prepares for the Asia Cup in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, scheduled to commence on August 30, the spotlight will be on the India-Pakistan rivalry, with their clash on September 2 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy serving as India’s campaign opener. With Bangar’s insights, Indian batters will be looking to tackle left-arm seam bowlers more effectively and bolster their performance in crucial encounters.
