Finally, the batsmen in a quandary

By Rajadhyax

What with the introduction of first ODIs and now T20 cricket, the batsmen have made more merry in recent times. Increasingly dead wickets in most parts of the world have made them smile even more. They can plant their foot forward and hoist balls into the orbit over mid-on or mid-wicket at will. The likes of Dilshan and McCullum are even hitting express bowlers over the wicket-keeper’s head for fours and sixes. So, it comes as a relief to know that international batsmen have also finally got caught in a quandary over a seemingly simple question. When they change from Test cricket to ODIs and from ODIs to T20 cricket do they change their batting style and attitude or do they stick to the same one for all forms of cricket?

This question appears to be simple but is actually quite complex. Coaches are still quite divided and the jury is still out on the issue. A section of experts feel that a batsman must go out with the same aggression and attitude in any form of cricket. Especially naturally gifted men like Sehwag, Symonds, Afridi, Gibbs and the like must stick to the same technique and attack, whether they are playing in a limited overs game or in a Test. Changing for every kind of cricket robs them of their natural flair and restricts their instinct. This could get them confused and seriously jeopardise their career stats. So instead of putting them in knots its better to let them have a ‘go’ at the bowlers from the start. And players like Sehwag and Gibbs and even done that with great success…. over and over again!

The opposing argument is equally strong. They say that each form of cricket makes distinct and different demands on cricketers. And it is more so with the batsmen. In Tests one needs to be patient and at times, even circumspect. A maiden over bowled at you may not turn the match on its head but, in fact, give you time to ponder your next move. In T20 a maiden over is batsman’s nightmare. It could change the whole complexion of the game. So there you have to go hammer and tongs from the first ball you face, if possible. You need patience in Tests, controlled aggression in ODIs and brute force in T20. Hence, it makes sense for batsmen to change their style and technique from one form of cricket to the other.

Well, in the middle of this whole debate is the batsman. What is he supposed to do? He is being bombarded by entirely opposing opinions or suggestions. Problem is that the same problem is permeating down to the level of domestic cricket too. From the longer form to the limited overs and instant cricket, the local batsmen are just as confused. I have seen players in local tournaments unable to decide whether to go for their shots or not in longer cricket and vice versa.

The present solution is a via-media one. Presently sensible coaches leave the batsman to take the call. So Gary Kirsten expects naturally aggressive guys like Sehwag and Gambhir to take their own decision and the deadly duo have decided not to change a thing from one to the other. On the other hand, Yuvraj Singh seems a victim of the quandary while playing in Tests. In ODIs and T20 he starts with his natural aggression but in Tests his relative failure so far can be attributed to being confused. In most Tests he seemed to start defensively and then didn’t know when to change gear. Then the bowlers started to dominate over him. Guys like Yuvraj find that hard to digest. In the process he lost his wicket.

I suppose a coach or skipper needs to understand the psyche of his batsmen. A batsman who cannot physically or mentally change style and technique should be told to adhere to his given mode of play. The one who can change or is open to the idea must be helped to do so. At the same it needs to be remembered that changing from one dimension to the other is not a simple process. It will need a lot of variable practice sessions in the nets and also during practice games. Also the batsman needs to make up his mind fast and not change it later. Quite importantly, the said batsman should also be under a micro scope about how he copes with all this and the technical support becomes vital at exactly such moments.