Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar was known for his extraordinary ability to read the game and anticipate the aftermaths. Tendulkar has spent quite a few years playing the game and carries immense knowledge of the fascinating sport.
No wonder players from all backgrounds always look for opportunities to learn a few tricks and tips from the Mumbaikar. And ahead of India’s upcoming Test series against South Africa, Tendulkar has shared some golden tips for the Indian pace attack to shine in the bowling-friendly conditions in the rainbow nation.
Notably, the two nations will start the three-match series with a Boxing-Day Test on December 26 in Centurion. Apart from captain Virat Kohli, many eyes would be on the Indian bowling attack, consisting of top-quality pacers who have proven their skills worldwide, be it in England, Australia, or New Zealand.
Tendulkar has shared a roadmap for Indian pace battery and suggested them to bowl around the off-stump in order to capitalise on the South African conditions. But the former Indian skipper also advised the bowlers not to get carried away as it would make batters’ life easy.
“When it comes to hitting the right areas. I would say it depends a lot on the overhead conditions and the dampness on the surface. And if the ball is swinging, I would encourage the bowlers to bowl around the off stump, but not outside off stump, not farther away from the fourth-stump line as it makes batsman’s life easy. He is also reading your wrist position and how the bowler is releasing the ball. So you don’t want the batter to leave those deliveries comfortably,” said Sachin in a chat with Boria Majumdar on the ‘Backstage with Boria’ show.
Tendulkar asserted that the first 25 overs would be crucial as the seam of the ball stays hard, so the bowlers should maximise such opportunity, and it would be completely fine if they end up conceding some runs in the process. The 48-year-old further suggested the bowlers to drag their line back and bowl away from batters once the pitch gets flattened up.
“I would encourage the bowler that if you falter being in line and getting hit a couple of times for a flick, I would be okay with that, but don’t waste the new ball as it becomes really, really important in South Africa. The first 25 overs are really important when the seam is hard, and it’s sticking up, and when it flattens up a bit, I would encourage the bowlers to pull back the length a bit and bowl slightly farther away from the batter. And then, depending on how much the pitch is helping and who is batting, all those factors will come into play to decide the right length and line. And that will vary from session to session,” added Tendulkar.
