Slow Cutters and Sluggish Pitches – India's Key to Success Against Bangladesh
With slow conditions expected to be prominent during their match against Bangladesh, India will look to mimic Australia's successful plan of relying heavily on slow cutters and change of pace deliveries. Australia demonstrated the potency of this approach in their most recent match against Bangladesh, where they strangled the batting side's scoring by constantly varying their speeds.
Jasprit Bumrah has already shown he is well-equipped to take advantage of slow pitches, using subtle off-cutters to trap Afghanistan's openers and disrupt their innings early on. Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya can also effectively manipulate their speeds and angles. Particularly Hardik, who is adept at slipping in the occasional slower bouncer with disguised cutters.
Australia's blueprint over the past year of choking runs in the middle overs by rotating seamers who bowl cutters with a canny leg-spinner has borne fruit. On Friday, Pat Cummins exemplified this, conceding minimal boundaries during two tight over spells through impeccable use of cutters, culminating in a hattrick.
Bangladesh batsmen largely failed to adapt against this tactic and wilted under pressure. India possesses multiple weapons capable of following a comparable plan. However, the proactive approach of Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav could lessen their reliance on late over fireworks if they flourish in the middle phases.
With conditions assisting slower bowling styles and Bangladesh wary after their experience facing Australia, India appear well-equipped to not only match but potentially better their rivals' successful slow-cutter centered strategy on Saturday. How their own batsmen fare against similar deliveries may also play a crucial role in deciding the contest's outcome.
