Raina hints Ishant Sharma may play
24 Oct 2013 5:21 AM IST
Despite the criticism and call for Ishant Sharma’s ouster for conceding 30 runs in an over, teammate Suresh Raina on Tuesday dropped hints that the beleaguered pacer could be retained in the fourth ODI against Australia at the JSCA Stadium on Wednesday.
Raina said Ishant had worked really hard in the last couple of days to overcome the disastrous 48th over in Mohali that cost India the third one-dayer as Aussies took a 2-1 lead.
‘I hope Ishant would be strong in his mindset and approach the match in a positive manner. He has really worked hard in the last two days. Our bowlers are doing well. Our think tank is strong and have good planning. Bowlers are training hard for last two days. The harder they work the better they would perform. Hopefully we will do really well against the Aussies on Wednesday,’ Raina said.
Admitting that adjusting to the new ODI rules was proving difficult for the bowlers, he said: ‘We are not getting the ball to reverse, while spinners are also not getting turns as with two balls it do not get old. But we have no excuse. We have to do well under the circumstances.
‘We have to admit it’s tough for the bowlers who come under pressure as to what line and length they should try when five players are inside the circle. You’re allowed to bowl two bouncers but then you have to bowl four more balls,’ he said.
Raina said Ishant had worked really hard in the last couple of days to overcome the disastrous 48th over in Mohali that cost India the third one-dayer as Aussies took a 2-1 lead.
‘I hope Ishant would be strong in his mindset and approach the match in a positive manner. He has really worked hard in the last two days. Our bowlers are doing well. Our think tank is strong and have good planning. Bowlers are training hard for last two days. The harder they work the better they would perform. Hopefully we will do really well against the Aussies on Wednesday,’ Raina said.
Admitting that adjusting to the new ODI rules was proving difficult for the bowlers, he said: ‘We are not getting the ball to reverse, while spinners are also not getting turns as with two balls it do not get old. But we have no excuse. We have to do well under the circumstances.
‘We have to admit it’s tough for the bowlers who come under pressure as to what line and length they should try when five players are inside the circle. You’re allowed to bowl two bouncers but then you have to bowl four more balls,’ he said.
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