India's premier pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have intensified their batting practice ahead of the team's crucial World Cup semi-final match on November 15. The bowlers dedicated themselves to extended batting sessions under the guidance of India's batting coach Vikram Rathour.
“India's pace duo, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj spent considerable time to refine their batting skills in preparation for the crucial semi-final match, aiming to address India's past knockout match struggles primarily attributed to batting struggles", former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta said in a conversation with Star Sports.
India's batting line-up has a history of tumbling at the bigger stage. In the 2021 World Cup, India's top-order batting faltered, contributing to their elimination from the Super 12 stage. Similarly, in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final against England, India's opening partnership struggled and played a part in the team's defeat.
Recognising the importance of a well-rounded batting lineup, India's management has encouraged Bumrah and Siraj, typically known for their bowling prowess, to improve their batting skills. This proactive approach demonstrates India's desire to be prepared for any situation that may arise during the semi-final match.
While India's batting has been a cause for concern, captain Rohit Sharma has stepped up as a reliable source of runs throughout the tournament. His aggressive starts have provided a solid foundation for the team's batting innings. However, the Indian team management is not taking any chances and is preparing for all eventualities, ensuring that even the tailenders can contribute if required.
Despite the recent batting concerns, India have been a dominant force throughout the World Cup 2023, winning eight consecutive matches. They will look to continue their winning streak and finish the group stage undefeated when they face the Netherlands in their final group match on November 12 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Deep Dasgupta also confirmed that Rohit Sharma skipped training on November 8 but spent a considerable amount of time discussing batting strategies with Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill. Gill recently crowned the world No. 1 ODI batsman and focused on playing aggressive shots against fast throw-downs during his net session, emphasising the team's intent to play positively and confidently in the upcoming semi-final clash.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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