It doesn’t require a brilliant cricketing brain to separate ‘fearless’ from ‘careless’ when batting. But some youngsters of the present Indian team needed the difference to be spelt out.
On Tuesday, India’s newly-appointed batting coach Vikram Rathour put it in as many words, “All the young players need to understand that there is a fine line between fearless cricket and careless cricket.
What the team management is asking from them is fearless cricket, having clear game-plans and playing with intent. At the same time, you can’t be careless.”
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Phenomenal player
Rishabh Pant is the obvious reference point. And the articulate Rathour, also a former National selector, was categorical. “As far as Rishabh is concerned, he is a phenomenal player. He just needs to sort out his game-plan, needs to bring in a little bit of discipline into his game.
“We want him to play all his shots. That is what makes him special. He is an impact player but at the same time you can’t be careless.”
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Talking about the present combination, in the background of skipper Virat Kohli’s emphasis on the team batting deep, Rathour said, “We are fortunate to have so many all-rounders in this team.
“In the past, we did not take T20s seriously but now we are preparing for the T20 World Cup. By batting deep, we can go harder in the beginning and we will be trying different things in the coming series and see what works for us.”
Not ideal
Quinton de kock South Africa’s skipper Quinton de Kock regretted the series lost one match to rain in Dharamshala. “We would like to have played three games against India.
“Leading into the World Cup, to lose a game in different conditions, is not ideal, but that’s what it is. It is a bit negative.”
When asked about how he was looking to his role as a captain in this series, the wicketkeeper-opener said, “Not too concerned, to be honest. It is a new stepping stone in my career, gives me extra responsibility. Not sure if it would affect me negatively or positively.”