india vs england

India v England, 2nd ODI, Kochi

Death bowling a worry for India

The Preview by Kanishkaa Balachandran

January 14, 2013

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Match facts

January 15, 2013
Start time 1200 local (0630 GMT)

	India need their fast bowlers to bowl yorkers more consistently © BCCI Enlarge
Related Links Matches: India v England at Kochi Series/Tournaments: England tour of India Teams: England | India

Big Picture

If the pitches and outfields for the rest of the series are going to be like what was served in Rajkot then the bowlers, especially India's, better take cover. In 12 balls, England leapfrogged from 287 to 325, and as a result of those two overs at the death, they had made just enough to secure a match-winning total. Though India did well to run them close, falling short by nine runs, the positives were overshadowed by overs 49 and 50 in England's innings, that hemorrhaged 38 runs.

That India's most experienced bowler, Ishant Sharma, was partly responsible for those runs says a lot. Ironically, his death bowling had been effective in the previous ODI, when India snatched a low-scoring game against Pakistan in Delhi. Take a look at his figures in Rajkot, and it's easy to miss his two maidens among the ten overs that leaked 86. Ishant wasn't solely at fault, for all of India's bowlers haven't been as consistent as they should be.

Death bowling has been a problem for India since Zaheer Khan's slump in form. In good batting conditions, yorkers are the bowler's best weapon but India's attack hasn't been able to deliver them consistently. Not that England set the best example either. Steven Finn and Jade Dernbach went in excess of six an over in their ten overs, while Tim Bresnan leaked 8.37 in his eight overs, though he picked up two wickets. The captain Alastair Cook defended the trio, saying the conditions left little margin for error. Spin came to England's rescue in the form of James Tredwell, who not only took four wickets but went for less than five an over. India's relatively more experienced spin attack wasn't as effective, picking up just one wicket. Not the first time, after the Tests, an England spinner upstaged India's spinners.

The Rajkot ODI was a change from the trend of low scores in the Pakistan ODIs. While it benefited the likes of Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh, who got some runs and confidence, the fast bowlers were battered. More sporting conditions would allow for a better assessment of the side as a whole.

Form guide

(Most recent first)
India LWLLW
England WLWWL