A nice and chilly Hamilton welcomed the players onto the field at the Seddon Park. After a long and tiring flight from Perth, India took a day’s break and later went about their regular drills ahead of their clash against Ireland. For India this could well be the game where they could test their bench strength. Will Stuart Binny who, had a long stint at the nets, finally get a game in conditions that he could exploit? He definitely would add to the already successful bowling attack apart from his batting skills lower down the order. Talking about bowling, India have looked a well oiled bowling unit so far taking forty wickets in four games. The bowlers have hit the right lengths, bowled according to the plans and executed them to good effect. “We have done pretty well as a unit,” agreed Mohit Sharma, who has gone about doing his business in the shadows of Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav.
“The way Shami and Umesh are bowling, it has helped me a lot. They have been bowling really well and have been able to exert a lot pressure up front. My job is to maintain that pressure, so that Ashwin and Jadeja are benefitted from it later,” elaborated Mohit on his role in the team.
Mohit, who was named as Ishant Sharma’s replacement in the squad, credited Ishant for his own success in the tournament so far. When I came over to Australia, Ishant helped me a lot. During our practices he helped with his inputs like what should be the length with the new ball and with the old ball. Ishant has visited Australia twice, so he is very experienced and quite aware of the conditions in Australia. It helped a great deal that we used to discuss these things during practice sessions.”
Against Ireland at Seddon Park, a ground with smaller dimensions than the one at Adelaide, MCG and WACA the bowling mindset needed to be altered reckoned Mohit. “There will be a difference in your thinking when you have to play in a small ground after playing in big grounds for a long time. You will have to change your lines, but we can’t keep thinking too much about the size of the ground. It’s the same for both teams and we have to concentrate on our strength and try and execute them to the best of our abilities.”
Speaking about India’s opponents for Tuesday, Mohit said, “They have played two to three good games and have a chance to qualify for the knockouts. They have a good team and we have to play well to beat them and we will try to do well.”
