Hundreds of Indian students facing ‘deportation’ from Canada stage protest
New Delhi: Former Australian fast bowler Rodney Hogg, who represented the national team 38 Tests and 71 ODIs, hailed Umesh Yadav as the best Indian speedster as present.
Rodney was quoted saying by TOI, Umesh Yadav “is the best fast bowler” from the Indian ranks. “I am really impressed with the way he bowls. If Umesh was in Australia, he would have got over 150 Test wickets by now. He is quick, has a great action but Indian conditions don’t suit fast bowling,” he said.
Australian batsmen on tour to India, who are reportedly looking to master sweep shot in order to negate the effects of spin, were warned by Rodney, especially for the threat R Ashwin possesses.
“I don’t think we play spin very well. You try to play the sweep shot and if the ball hits the pads – you could be out leg-before. You would be in trouble trying to sweep R Ashwin. He (Ashwin) would be licking his lips if he knows Australia are trying to teach themselves how to sweep,” he said.
Hogg also expects Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to play a major role in Indian conditions despite the fact that the Aussie squad for India tour carries four frontline spinners.
“I couldn’t believe what Starc did in Sri Lanka last year (24 wickets from 3 Tests). Those were tough conditions for a player from Australia and he gave it his all. Both Hazlewood and Starc complement each other. Hazlewood makes fast bowling look so easy. In Starc, Smith has someone who can deliver both with the new and old ball,” Hogg added.
As far as Australia’s bowling composition is concerned, Rodney said that the visitors would probably go for a 2:2 ratio while picking frontline seamers and spinners in the playing XI.
“At home, we play three quicks – Starc, Hazlewood and Bird. But in India, they would like to play two quicks and two spinners. If you see the England side, they had a lot of balance in each aspect (pace and spin) of their bowling. They had every base covered but still couldn’t do too well (against India). Our fifth bowler could be crucial if we are to bowl about 150 overs (against India),” Rodney mentioned.
He also predicted India to come out 2-0 winners from the 4-match Test series which begins on February 23 in Pune.
