WTC Final 2021: If India Wins This Test Match, It'll Be Because Of Their Openers - Brad Hogg
Published - 20 Jun 2021, 04:38 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:48 AM
Former Australia leg-spinner Brad Hogg makes a bold statement that the Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill may have laid a foundation for their victory – if weather permits – against New Zealand in the ongoing WTC Final The Ageas Bowl, where after the play of a truncated Day 2 the match is evenly poised with India at the score of 146/3.
Sharma and Gill put on a partnership of 62 runs in 20 overs in extremely challenging batting conditions. Brad Hogg observed that both the openers batted outside their crease and used their feet to negate the movement of the ball; they also waited patiently for the bad deliveries – overpitched in the zone and short balls – while gave respect to the good length ones.
“I think both opening batsmen were absolutely sensational. They are more of a free-flowing type of players and had to adjust their game according to the tough conditions and play patiently. For me, they are the ones who put the New Zealand pacers on the backfoot,” Brad Hogg said in his YouTube video.
“Being prepared to bat outside their crease and walk down the wicket takes a lot of courage on day one of a Test match where the ball is moving both ways prestigiously. If India wins this Test match, it will be because of the openers’ forcefulness,” he added.
I think New Zealand with the new ball got a little bit greedy: Brad Hogg
Brad Hogg further pointed out that the Kiwi bowlers were aggressive too in their lengths, as they went fuller, instead of their typical good lengths, hunting for the available swing movement. That Gill and Sharma too also went attacking after those deliveries made the passage of play engrossing for the viewers.
Tim Southee and Trent Boult weren’t exactly on the money in their opening spells and delivered few wayward deliveries, which were duly cashed on by Rohit and Gill as they went about 4 runs an over in the first 11 overs.
“I think New Zealand with the new ball got a little bit greedy. They went away from their renowned gameplan which is hitting a good length.
“They went a little bit too full and got a bit greedy with extra swing and wanting to get too many early wickets rather than being nice and patient and they paid the price. India got off to a good start, scoring 4 runs per over till the 10-over mark,” the former chinaman spinner explained.
