WTC Final 2021: Not Impossible For India To Make A Grand Comeback - Ramiz Raja
Published - 21 Jun 2021, 02:40 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:48 AM
Regarding the ongoing WTC Final in Southampton, former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja reckons India are still pretty much in the game and the bowlers can make a “grand comeback” if they “play competitive cricket” against the New Zealand batters on Day 4.
At the end of Day 3, the Kiwis have their noses slightly ahead with the score of 101/2 in reply to India’s 217 all-out. Indian pacers – Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami – failed to break New Zealand’s opening stand – because of being a tad erratic and a tad unlucky – which was then broken by Ravichandran Ashwin after a 34-over rut. Sharma dismissed Devon Conway at the fag end of the day to give India some confidence going into Day 4.
Ramiz Raja reckons the Asian giants need to overcome the pressure against two of New Zealand’s greatest batters – Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor – who are new to the crease to storm back in the game.
“India should ensure that New Zealand don’t have a big lead. They need to keep up the pressure and take wickets at regular intervals backed by good catching. Virat Kohli needs to have a straight and simple gameplan and everyone should be on the same page with defined roles,” Ramiz Raja said in his YouTube channel.
“It will be tough, there will be pressure but it is not impossible and India can make a grand comeback. All is not lost for India and they need to play competitive cricket to make a comeback,” he added.
India will be better served because of the two spinners, New Zealand is a one-dimensional attack: Ramiz Raja
Ramiz Raja further opines that India will be in the driver’s seat in the second innings of both teams. He asserts that Virat Kohli has gone with two high-quality spinners in Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, while New Zealand doesn’t have any spinner in their line-up. Hence, Indian tweakers can exploit the conditions, which could get drier on the last day in the fourth innings.
“India have been successful in this format because of his bowling attack. They have bowlers who can pick 20 wickets. Going forward, I feel India will be better served because they have two spinners in Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja if the wickets get dry.
“New Zealand, on the other hand, is a one-dimensional attack and the bowling attack is best suited for first innings,” the 58-year-old concluded.
Also Read: Maybe There Is Some Sort Of Pattern – Kyle Jamieson On Dismissing Virat Kohli Twice In Test Cricket
