The Lack Of Wickets Is Where India Are Struggling: Michael Holding

Former West Indian fast bowling spearhead Michael Holding has joined the bandwagon of cricketers who have heavily criticized India’s bowling attack. It has come in the wake of India’s ODI series loss to Australia down under, headlined by two high-scoring games that the hosts won by 66 and 51 runs respectively. Michael Holding lamented the lack of wickets by the Indian bowlers that resulted in Australia posting two consecutive 350 plus scores.

The Indian bowling attack has leaked 374 and 389 in the first two games that has come one back of opening stands, producing 156 and 142. It set a solid base which Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell have capitalized upon to leave the Indian bowlers dazed. While the fielding has been mediocre from both the sides, Australians have taken some outstanding catches, proving as a significant difference.

Michael Holding underlined that lack of wickets is where India are struggling and that if they allow the opposition to get off to such solid starts, the fielding will struggle. While Holding backs any team to chase mammoth totals, the 66-year old acknowledges the pressure that comes with it, regardless of how good the pitch is to bat.

The lack of wickets is where India are struggling. If your opening bowlers aren’t able to get wickets, if they can’t set back the opposition and prevent them from getting to such solid starts in every ODI, you will struggle as a fielding team. Australia got a bigger score in the second game, 389! I’m not saying teams can’t chase down those big scores, but it puts extra pressure on you when you have to chase those big scores, irrespective of whether the pitch is a good one or not,” Michael Holding said in his Youtube channel.

One thing India can look at as a positive is that Hardik Pandya: Michael Holding

The Jamaican felt delighted to see Hardik Pandya back to bowling, highlighting it as India’s most significant positive from the ODI series. Holding feels that having bowled four overs and picking up the wicket of Steve Smith, he could be on the way to taking a more bigger role with the ball. Pandya also scored 90 runs in the first ODI.

“One thing India can look at as a positive is that Hardik Pandya, who was struggling to get back in the rhythm as a bowler, bowled four overs, which means that he is possibly on his way back to taking a bigger role with the ball,” he added.

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