Andy Flower, former Zimbabwe captain and England Head coach, who is also the current coach of the Delhi Bulls team in the Abu Dhabi T10 League, was reached by Timesofindia.com to discuss India’s chances going ahead in the remainder of Test series without the services of the talismanic batsman and regular skipper Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami’s absence, KL Rahul as a player.
The odds are heavily stacked against the visitors in absence of Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami but Andy Flower says India can bounce back. Several key batsmen struggled in the first Test as it was announced that there will be 4 changes in XI for the second Test.
Andy Flower: India Capable To Bounce Back But Need To Be Right On Top Of Their Game In Australian Backyard
In Virat Kohli’s absence, Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will be in charge of the team for the rest of the high-pressure Test series, in which India already find themselves 0-1 down. India started their Test campaign on a disappointing note, losing the opening Test, in Adelaide.
“Well, India won the last Test series they played in Australia. So, they certainly have the capability of doing that. It will be tough to come back from that first loss, though. It’s (Australia) a very difficult place to tour. Australians are very good in their backyard. They understand the conditions and how to exploit them. So, India have to be right at the top of their game, if they need to make a comeback in the second Test match.”
Indians, however, will miss the services of Virat Kohli who averages 50 in each format besides being India’s most successful Test skipper as he will head home to attend the birth of 1st child.
“There are a couple of things that will be missed from Virat, I would imagine. He was obviously batting brilliantly before he got run out in the last Test. And so, they’re going to miss his volume of runs. And also, I think, they will miss the confidence and aggression that the world-class player (Kohli) gives a side when he’s in the batting lineup. And then as a captain, being led by someone who refuses to be cowed down by any opposition, that gives people confidence.”
India were bundled out for 36 in the second innings of the Adelaide Test but Andy Flower cannot make judgements on India’s abject surrender as he was busy elsewhere and didn’t watch events unfolding.
“I’ve been busy in Dubai, preparing for the draft and also spending some time with my two children who are here with me. So, I haven’t actually seen any wickets in that innings. What I do know is that those Australian bowlers, like Hazelwood who hit a good length and hit the seam find just enough movement to beat the bat on either side.”
The Australians are very high on confidence after wrapping up a more than comprehensive 8 wicket win in the first Test, where the likes of pacers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins tore through the Indian batting line-up to skittle them out for their lowest Test innings total of all time (36).
Andy Flower Loved Working With KL Rahul And Says Mohammed Shami Will Be Sorely Missed
As an assistant coach of Kings XI Punjab, Andy Flower worked closely with KL Rahul. He has done a good job with the bat and gloves in limited-overs cricket.
“I really really loved working with KL. He is a beautiful batsman to watch play. He plays aesthetically beautiful shots. He is very stylish, stands tall above the ball. He can do well in Australia actually with his technique. I also liked working with him as a captain.”
Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the rest of the Test series with an injury. Andy Flower though didn’t felt it right to make a judgement to his replacement as he hasn’t seen much of Navdeep Saini or Mohammed Siraj.
“Shami will be sorely missed. I met him while I was at Kings XI Punjab. I like Saini. He stands the seam up and moves the ball. I know less about Siraj, it wouldn’t be right for me to make a judgment.”
Andy Flower concluded that they have finished the draft for Delhi Bulls led by Dwayne Bravo and feels optimistic about their chances.
“Well, look, we’ve just finished the draft. I’m quite happy with the way the draft went actually. We’ve got a very good tactical captain in Dwayne Bravo. Well, obviously, I think optimistically. I think our chances will be good. It’s a brilliant format to be involved with.”
“Bravo has so much experience in limited-overs cricket now. Last year, Bravo had badly injured his finger and he still performed really well for us. This year, hopefully, he’ll be fully fit. So, as a player, very happy to have him in our lineup. As a captain he is very good technically.”
Evin Lewis, Fidel Edwards, Mohammad Nabi and Ali Khan are some of the players in Delhi Bulls squad for Abu Dhabi T10 in 2021.