Adelaide : India’s Suryakumar Yadav plays a shot during the T20 World Cup semi-final match between England and India in Adelaide, Australia on Thursday, November 10, 2022. (PHOTO:IANS)
Abu Dhabi, January 15 (IANS) Former Zimbabwean cricketer Andy Flower, who coaches the Gulf Giants franchise in the inaugural edition of ILT20, feels that 360-degree players like Suryakumar Yadav cause bowlers a lot of trouble and don’t allow them to adapt. to its line and length.
Suryakumar, 32, has been in sensational form and recently broke his third T20I century during the series against Sri Lanka in Rajkot.
“360 degree bowlers like Suryakumar are causing a lot of problems for bowlers. Fast bowlers can bowl at their best length and the batsman can go over the keeper or fine leg. We are also seeing a sweep reverse over third short man against closers now. Joe Root is trying that kind of shot here as well,” Flower told IANS on the sidelines of ILT20.
“It’s lovely to see these skills. It takes courage to play these shots. The game demands more variation and a greater variety of skills and players are finding ways to achieve that,” he added.
Lately, there has been criticism from many great stalwarts of the game for playing low blows in T20 cricket.
Asked if there is a place for these T20 cricketers, Flower said there is a role for different types of players, but it depends on how a manager and captain can balance the team.
“We all like aggression, of course, but I still feel there is a role for different types of players. It depends on the selectors, the coach and the captain, how they balance it, but certainly power is important, but there are different ways of scoring quickly in cricket. SKY have recently shown us how to do it with skill and innovation. I believe there is a place for every type of cricketer. As a manager, captain, selector, one just has to balance things,” he said. .
Apart from ILT20, the 54-year-old Flower is also coaching Lucknow Supergiants in IPL. He also has assignments in various leagues around the world as a coach and is enjoying the challenge.
“At the moment I am quite busy all year long because of the cricket franchise and it is a privilege for me to be involved with various teams. I really enjoy the professional challenge moving from one team to another and adjusting my coaching style to what the team needs. It’s also wonderful to experience different cultures in various countries and within different teams,” he said.
“This (ILT20) is slightly different in this squad because there are a lot of foreign cricketers from different countries in the squad and only two UAE players in the playing XI and four in the squad. It’s a point of difference here and for me it’s a different professional challenge and a fascinating personal experience,” he added.