Rahul Dravid Reflects On Lack Of Part-Time Bowlers In Indian Team, Says 'Because Of The Rule Change' In Middle Overs

Team India head coach Rahul Dravid opened up about the lack of part-time bowling options from top-order batters in the national team at the moment. Rahul Dravid said that the four-fielder rule in middle overs has a significant impact on part-time bowlers in ODIs.

The ICC introduced a rule in 2015 that allows teams to have just four fielders outside the 30-yard circle during the second power play, which spans from the 11th over to the 40th. Teams will rely on their spin bowling options, including part-timers, in the middle overs.

Could Be Because Of The Rules Change – Rahul Dravid

Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of the first ODI against Australia, Rahul Dravid pointed out that the former cricketers used to bowl during the middle overs when there were only four fielders in the ring.

“I think it could be because of the rule change. Suddenly you have gone from four fielders inside the ring to five fielders inside the ring. I think that has drastically changed the ability of part-time bowler to be able to bowl in the middle phase,” Dravid told reporters.

“If you remember and mention all these names (Sachin, Sourav, Sehwag, Yuvraj, Raina) bowling in this phase, a lot of these guys started when there used to be only four fielders in the ring,” he further added.

Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Virender Sehwag used to bowl and pick important wickets for the team in the past. However, it has shifted significantly in recent times, with India relying more on specialized bowlers and genuine all-rounders.

It’s Not Only The Indian Team – Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid emphasized that the number of part-time bowlers has declined in world cricket, not just within the Indian team. The coach stated that the rules have had an impact on the effectiveness of part-time bowlers.

“In that kind of situation (five fielders outside the ring), you could lose a lot of part-time bowlers and not only us, but a lot of teams also did that. If you will notice, the number of part-time bowlers have gone down in other teams as well. It’s not only the Indian team.”

“Partly, it is because of two new balls, you have got five fielders in the ring in the middle overs. It’s not that they are not bowling in the nets, lot of bowlers do try, they bowl in the nets. “But if you don’t get opportunities to bowl in the middle then it becomes very difficult to develop your skill,” he concluded.

The first ODI between the KL Rahul-led team and the Pat Cummins-led team is scheduled to be played at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Friday, September 22.

Also read: Ravichandran Ashwin’s Entry In ICC World Cup 2023 Confirmed? Rahul Dravid Provides Massive Hint