Former India coach Abhishek Nayar examined Rohit Sharma’s strategy in trying circumstances, Virat Kohli’s tactical adjustments, India’s finishing problems, and the batting form required to end the series prior to the last match.
India and South Africa are now tied at one in their three-match ODI series. After losing by 17 runs in the first match of the series in Ranchi, the Proteas staged an incredible comeback in the second match in Raipur, scoring a record 359 to tie the series. The third ODI, which is set for December 6 in Visakhapatnam, will be a series-clinching victory for both teams.
In his analysis of Rohit Sharma’s development as an ODI batsman, Nayar gave him credit for making a smooth transition from a lower-order position to an opener and developing further to create a very aggressive and alluring style.
“In ODIs, Rohit Sharma has made a smooth adjustment. Early in his career, he started lower in the order before establishing himself as a reliable opener. He really changed the way India played white-ball cricket at this point by embracing an aggressive style that prioritised striking sixes over simply scoring runs. Nayar stated on JioStar, “His leadership by example, playing without worrying about centuries, has raised team standards.”
When asked why Rohit doesn’t come out of the crease to play his shots, Nayar explained that it’s because of the swinging conditions and uneven bounce.
“The swinging conditions in this series are the main reason Rohit Sharma hasn’t ventured out to hit huge shots. He goes on bowlers with confidence when he senses that the ball isn’t swinging much. Due to the unpredictable bounce of the surface, he has been cautious with his footwork. But his aggressive stepping-out game is probably going to reappear under familiar Vizag settings.
Additionally, Nayar discussed Virat Kohli’s shot execution and evaluated important aspects of his batting. In order to add more power and improve his balance when making shots, Kohli has made careful to stay on top of the ball and his bat is coming down much straighter, according to Nayar. Kohli is poised to score a hat-trick in Visakhapatnam after smashing two straight hundreds.
“Virat Kohli’s ability to strike the ball at crucial times is among his best performances in this series against South Africa. His ability to hit the ball with a straight bat path is what makes him so remarkable. That wasn’t something we frequently seen before. Previously, the bat would open up. Here, however, his head is directly over the ball each and every time he hits it. That occurs rather frequently. Even when the ball is angling away, he brings the bat down in line with it. He always manages to play it straight. That is what makes him so remarkable and a major factor in his success.”
Nayar went into more detail about the tactical changes Kohli made to his batting style, implying that by using different guards at the crease, he is better able to adjust to varying lengths.
“Since the Australia trip, Virat’s batting style has significantly changed, mostly in terms of strategies. His last two ODI innings against South Africa show that a different guard has made every shot. He has also been off stump, on middle stump, and on leg stump. In order to accommodate all lengths, he has made such adjustments. He has been outside the crease, deep in the crease, and using his feet. His mind has been trying to figure things out like an AI computer. Additionally, the circumstances have benefited Virat’s preferred style of cricket.
After the right-hander hit his first ODI century in Raipur, Nayar also praised Ruturaj Gaikwad’s technique and control.
“We have witnessed South African pacers bowl close to Ruturaj Gaikwad’s pads to get him leg before wicket (LBW) and at the fifth stump line. His effectiveness whenever the ball is in that region is what matters most. He plays the same shot on the offside and the same shot on the onside each time they bowl close to him. Not everyone can do that, thus it demonstrates his level of batting ability. He plays with control, unlike other hitters who only play on the offside. His biggest strength is that. Because he has the ability to manage his body and mind to behave as he pleases, he is visually appealing.
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