Everyone thought Ravindra Jadeja’s absence would weaken India but Axar Patel was outstanding: Andrew McDonald

Editor — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 07:42:55 +0000

HYDERABAD: Ravindra Jadeja’s absence from the T20 series was expected to weaken India but the hosts found an able replacement in “outstanding” Axar Patel, said Australia coach Andrew McDonald.
Left-arm spinner Axar, who was shoed in as a like-for-like replacement for the injured Jadeja, impressed everyone with his bowling, ending as the leading wicket-taker in the three-match series.
“Axar, in particular, had an outstanding series. With Jaddu out everyone thought that it might become a bit of a weakness for India, but they’ve found another one again, which tends to happen,” McDonald said at the post-match press conference after India clinched the series.
The Australian bowling attack, comprising the pace duo of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, was taken to the cleaners by the Indian batters.

Asked if it’s a concern heading to the World Cup, McDonald said: “Across the series the run rate was high, it was entertaining cricket from the get-go. Bat dominated the ball, so there was really no place to hide for bowling units, in particular death.
“We worked our way through some plans. We saw some good results with some of the plans that we implemented that might be able to transition to the World Cup.”
McDonald added that Australia will have reinforcements in the form of Mitchell Starc when they begin the defense of their World Cup title at home next month.

“The connection between here (India) and Australia might be slightly different, a little bit more bounce, different tactics. Mitchell Starc comes back into the picture being one of our best death bowlers. So, we feel like we’ll get reinforcements there.”
McDonald feels most of the bowling attack is “under the pump” due to the skills of the batters.
“The conversations always going to be can you get better at your death bowling? The answer to that is yes.
“We encourage our guys to make good decisions and execute them. Sometimes the batter out-executes you and we’ve seen that with Hardik (Pandya) across the series.
“Suryakumar Yadav was outstanding today and he’s gonna be dangerous in the World Cup but he showed what he can do.”
Australia were without a few of their World Cup-bound players due to injuries but the head coach feels the defending champions have enough depth to overcome the situation.
“It’s fortuitous that some of the guys got the opportunity here. We got a couple of injuries which are concerning leading into a World Cup. You don’t like to see some of your mainstay players out of the team leading in but we feel as though we’ve got some good options in depth.”
In the absence of David Warner, who was rested, Cameron Green “embraced the challenge of opening”.
The all-rounder amassed 118 runs, including two belligerent half-centuries to give Australia great starts.
“I’ve asked him to show great intent on top of the order and everything that we’re seeing so far shows that he’s doing that.
“It’s probably opportunistic the way that he’s come into the opening position with obviously David Warner not being here and a couple of other players from our World Cup 15.
“And that’s all you can do, given an opportunity… Before we came over here we thought he had the skill sets to be able to succeed there, and he’s taken on some of the best bowlers in world cricket.”

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Nobody can fill Jhulan Goswami’s shoes, her passion for cricket is unmatched: Harmanpreet Kaur

Editor — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 12:30:48 +0000

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BENGALURU: India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur on Tuesday paid a glowing tribute to Jhulan Goswami, saying the veteran pacer’s passion for the sport is unmatched and “nobody can fill her shoes”.
The 39-year-old, who is leading wicket-taker in international cricket in a career spanning more than two decades, is set to retire after the third and final ODI against England at Lord’s on September 24.
“She goes to every game with the same kind of passion which is unmatched, nobody can beat that,” Harmanpreet said in a media interaction here on the eve of their departure for their white-ball series in England.
Having made her debut under the captaincy of Jhulan in a match against Pakistan in the 2009 World Cup, Harmanpreet has some vivid memories of the legendary Indian pacer who has a world record 252 wickets to her name from 201 ODIs — the only bowler with more than 200 wickets in the format.
“When I made my debut she was the captain, it’s a great opportunity for me that I would be leading the side when she would be playing her last ODI. When I entered the team, she was the one who was leading from the front. I’ve learnt a lot from her. Nobody can fill in her shoes.
“She’s someone who always puts in the same kind of effort, bowling two-three hours She still puts in the same kind of hard work she used to during her early days… I’ve never seen her make any changes to her practice regimen.”
“You hardly see any bowler doing like that, or even at the nets while batting… Nobody can bring that passion she has for cricket.
“As a cricketer and a person, I’ve learnt a lot from her. She’s a great example for all of us. There are many back home who have grown up watching her and then took up the sport.”
Jhulan last played for India during the ODI World Cup in New Zealand in March this year before sustaining a side strain ahead of India’s final group game against South Africa and missed the Sri Lanka tour in July.
Having made her International debut in 2002, Jhulan called it quits from T20s in 2018, and played her last Test match in October 2021.
Overall, Jhulan has played 12 Tests, 68 T20 Internationals and 201 ODIs including six World Cup appearances.
Fresh from their silver medal winning show at Commonwealth Games Birmingham, India will begin their tour with three T20s starting from September 9.
Thereafter India will play three ODIs at Hove (September 18), Canterbury (September 21) before the marquee ODI at the Lord’s, their first at the hallowed venue since their 2017 Cricket World Cup final defeat.
Harmanpreet said they would do their best to make it a special occasion for her.
“We are talking about it being her last tournament. It would be very special for her and for us. We would try to create some great moments for her so she can go back with some special memories.”

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

team india – Link Punjabi

Everyone thought Ravindra Jadeja’s absence would weaken India but Axar Patel was outstanding: Andrew McDonald

Nobody can fill Jhulan Goswami’s shoes, her passion for cricket is unmatched: Harmanpreet Kaur