Dilip Vengsarkar
Dilip Vengsarkar[File photo]

Former Indian cricketer or batsman Dilip Vengsarkar is amongst those who knows a thing or two about versatility. Dilip Vengsarakar, who featured in 116 Tests for the Indian team from 1976 to 1992, dominated England in their backyard with three centuries at Lord’s alone. Simultaneously, Vengsarkar was also an expert in playing spinners, exhibited through his innings of 166 against Sri Lanka at Cuttack. With plenty of talk surrounding facing spin-bowling on spin-friendly pitches, the 64-year old has provided insights into how to counter them.

Ahmedabad’s pitch used for the third Test between India and England came under the scanner as it finished in two days. It turned out to be the shortest Test match since 1935 and witnessed 28 out of 30 wickets falling to the spinners. India rode on Axar Patel’s 11-wicket haul to win it by ten wickets. England also hit back with their captain Joe Root, picking up his maiden fifer in Tests; however, it was not enough.

Ollie Pope of England (BCCI)
Ollie Pope of England (BCCI)

Dilip Vengsarkar highlighted that Indian batsmen’s expertise against spin emerges from playing domestic cricket where they are used to playing quality spin-bowling. The Maharashtra-born cricketer stated that batsmen should play it very late when the ball turns and ensure not to jab at it. Furthermore, bat must be the first line of defence.

The advantage for us that we are used to playing local cricket and domestic cricket against quality spinners. So that helped us quite a lot. Basically, when you see that the ball is seaming or turning, you have to work hard for runs. When the ball is spinning, one should play very late and ensure not to jab at the ball. Also, you need to ensure that bat is your first line of defence,” Dilip Vengsarkar told Times of India.

It is treat to watch him bat: Dilip Vengsarkar

Rohit Sharma (BCCI)
Rohit Sharma (BCCI)

Dilip Vengsarkar praised Rohit Sharma’s batting, claiming that he is one of the best batsmen in the world on any surface. The 64-year old identified that the opener has a compact game even on spinning tracks, as watched in the last two Tests against England.

“He is one of the best batsmen in the world. There is no question about it. The way he plays fast bowling on any surface, whether it is seaming or bouncing. Or even against spinners in the last two Tests. It is treat to watch him bat,” he added.

Also Read: India vs England 2021: Varun Chakravarthy In Doubt For England T20Is

Read More  Mumbai Indians completely shattered after their humiliation vs SRH!! Reports confirm a division between Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya