Haren
The biggest disparity between India’s batsmen and their Bangladesh counterparts in this series had been their six-hitting prowess. India’s batsmen racked up 22 sixes in two games; Bangladesh could manage only eight, the same tally as Nitish Kumar Reddy, in perfectly placid surfaces. When asked about the difference, Bangladesh assistant coach Nic Pothas pinned the blame on the genetics. “They have much stronger players. We are working on our strength and conditioning, but you can’t fight genetics,” he said.
The South African then elaborated the point. “If one player weighs 95-100 kg and another is 65 kg, naturally the heavier player will hit the ball further. Of course, timing and technique are important, and we are constantly working on those aspects,” he said.
He also credited the Indian Premier League for enhancing the power-hitting capabilities of India’s batsmen. “You also have to look at the IPL. It’s the best competition in the world, with top-quality players. The IPL prepares players for the international stage. Comparing India’s six-hitting with ours is like comparing how many sixes the West Indies hit compared to us,” he said.
India’s batting coach Ryan ten Doeschate though dwelled on the precision of lengths India’s bowlers have managed so far in this series. “The way we bowled, we made it difficult for Bangladesh batsmen to hit sixes,” he said.
Historically, Bangladesh batsmen had been six-shy, even in T20s, where the six is the most valued currency. In 178 games, they have struck only 697 sixes, that is a decimal less than four. Their highest six-hitter has been Mahmadullah, whose 77 sixes have come in 129 innings. In comparison, Suryakumar Yadav has struck nearly twice as many sixes (139) in half the innings (70). Even their talisman highest run-getter in this format, Shakib Al Hasan, consumes 40 balls for a hit over the ropes.
