England pacer Mark Wood has outlined his strategy to dismiss India captain Rohit Sharma in the upcoming five-match Test series. He emphasised the importance of accuracy with his short ball to challenge the opening batter.
Wood is set to play a crucial role for England in the upcoming Test series against India, having been a significant contributor to the team's success in Tests over the past few months, both at home and overseas.
Known for his raw pace, the 34-year-old's bowling style has posed challenges for numerous batters worldwide, making it likely that he will present a formidable challenge for Indian batters. One of the anticipated battles in the upcoming series is between Wood and India's skipper Rohit.
The bowler excels in delivering lethal short balls, while Rohit equally enjoys dispatching bouncers out of the park. Recently, the two have often found themselves in a battle where each has had the upper hand at times. The stage is set for another face-off starting January 25 in Hyderabad, when the first match commences.
Wood expressed that he plans to assess the conditions, indicating readiness even if the pitch plays slowly, with a strategy in place. He shared his plans for short balls against Rohit in a press conference with reporters.
“Yeah, the conditions will be assessed once I am out there, and bumps (bouncers) are rarely bought out here. But the pitch sometimes can be two-paced and, if it is slow, it can help (bowlers) because the batters will be through with the shot."
“Someone like Rohit, I know how good he is on the short ball. That doesn’t necessarily mean that I wouldn’t bowl a bouncer. It just means that I’ll have to be really accurate with it and bowl at the right time.”
Wood also mentioned that his team aims to capitalise on opportunities, emphasising the importance of being not only aggressive but also smart. He went on to say that, “I think we’ll still look to take the game on. I think at times it’s been smart though, you know, to consolidate it in and then when the chance comes to put the pressure back on (India)."
“I guess it’s all about soaking up that pressure when needed, maybe when the Indian batsmen are on top. We have to soak up that pressure and create a bit of a theatre or drama on the field and then when it’s time, attack again. That’s the same with bat and ball.”
Ahead of their arrival in India, England conducted a training camp in Abu Dhabi, dedicating significant effort and time to their preparation. Wood discussed these preparations, mentioning that they tailored pitches to simulate Indian conditions during the camp. He also stated that the team will enter the Test series with a refreshed mental and physical state.
“I think we’ve prepped really well in Abu Dhabi. We’ve made pitches, we’ve scuffed pitches up to make them spin, we’ve put sand down to make it spin, we’ve had flat pitches to practice simple and reverse swing. So, we’ve had all the facilities available in Abu Dhabi.
“It was also good to switch off there as well. We had a good team bonding session. So, we’ve come here fresh mentally and physically and ready to go.”
Both teams have been diligently preparing for the series, with recent performances showcasing India and England's excellence in Test cricket. As a result, the upcoming series holds the promise of being enthralling.
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