These days the toss has become very important in the ongoing T20 World Cup in UAE. The teams winning the toss are deciding to field first and that is going in their favour.
Actually it is a bit easier to bowl first in UAE conditions. Later, due to dew, bowlers are finding it difficult to catch the ball. Not only the finger spinners but also the wrist spinners are facing more problems. In such a situation, it is interesting to see how the captain who loses the toss can avoid defeat.
I think the team batting first should score 175 plus. Losing least wickets in the power-play and scoring around 55 on the scoreboard during this time will help the team to score big. After that the period of tough examination will start. For bowlers, bowling later is no less than a litmus test. For this it is necessary that the fielders give good support to their bowlers by doing excellent fielding. This problem can be solved only with their cooperation.
It is surprising that Yuzvendra Chahal was not selected for this World Cup. The team has invested a lot in him. He could have used his experience in such situations. Wrist spinners can face more problems in these conditions. Spinners using fingers find it difficult to grip the ball.
This trouble cannot be avoided. Except that the fielders make presence on the field with outstanding work. Those who are fast bowlers, they can use slowers and cutters along with speed. The spinner can diversify his bowling by making more use of the crease. Plus he can make a big difference by changing the speed and changing the flight.
(The author is Virat Kohli’s coach and also a Dronacharya Awardee)