MELBOURNE: It's when you watch the India nets from a vantage point that you truly realise how different a ball bowled at the same pace and place can be. The swing, the point of release, the angle - every little thing matters. At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the nets are at a lower level than the rest of the stadium, so you can get a top-down view of the action, and that's when it all becomes that little bit clearer.
The practice pitches haven't exactly been green, rather they looked like the kind of tracks one would usually have for white-ball games. So, the bounce isn't great, at least nothing like we have seen in the Test matches so far. Still, it was enough to see Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep go all out in the nets.
Cricket is supposed to be complicated but the normal rules don't seem to apply to Bumrah. Almost all the batters tend to take an additional backward step while facing him. The ball cuts in sharply, it is visibly quick and his lines constantly challenge the batters. Siraj tends to surprise batters with the odd delivery - a little quicker, a bouncer or one that does something extra off the wicket.
Now, between them sits Akash Deep. He isn't express, doesn't get the same bounce as the other two and his ball tends to skid onto the batter. It cuts in sharply enough but this is the kind of bowling that usually works so well in India. In Australia, with the bounce, there can be a temptation to change things.
This story is from the December 23, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Noida.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 23, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Noida.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
NOT IN GERMANY; IT'S CHRISTMAS IN MUMBAI FOR SREEJITA AND MICHAEL
The actor and her husband are marking a shift from their usual Germany celebrations, as they embrace new traditions in India
Virat ne block kar diya hai mujhe Insta pe: Rahul Vaidya
Cricketer Virat Kohli has allegedly blocked singer Rahul Vaidya on Instagram.
Rohit's mantra: A personalised approach is key
Captaincy demands a mindset as varied as the individuals in the squad. You need to know when to be sympathetic and when to have a stern word or two. And can your attitude be the same with youngsters as it is with seniors?
Konstas to debut; Head, Rohit ready to go
Much of the intrigue on Tuesday centred around the fitness of two key figures on either side—Australia's Travid Head and India's Rohit Sharma.
INDIA GEAR UP FOR WOMEN'S T20 U-19 WORLD CUP TITLE DEFENCE
The chances of India defending the women's T20 U-19 World Cup, to be held in Malaysia from Jan 18 to Feb 2, though is quite high.
India face Bangladesh in their CT Opener, Pakistan on Feb 23
India will play Bangladesh on February 20 in their opening Group A game of the ICC Champions Trophy, to be played in Dubai as part of the hybrid model agreed for the tournament.
Paris heartache over, Chanu focuses on regaining fitness
There's no point in brooding over what's done... I know I need to raise my game if I am to win a medal in Los Angeles. MIRABAI CHANU, Tokyo silver medallist
Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal shine as India women clinch ODI series
It was a thoroughly dominant all-round performance from India yet again in this series as they defeated West Indies by 115 runs in the second women's ODI and took a 2-0 lead in the three-match series at the Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara on Tuesday.
Khel Ratna row: Lapse on my part, says Manu
Seeking to end all \"speculations\" after her name was not considered for the Khel Ratna Award, Paris Olympics double medallist shooter Manu Bhaker on Tuesday admitted to a possible lapse in her application for the country's top sports award.
Power capacity takes green leap
Spurred by the approaching expiry of a transmission charge exemption, renewable power developers have begun to hasten completion of their projects.