You need to train differently and adapt to the change – Ishant Sharma

Veteran Indian pace bowler Ishant Sharma believes that the Duke ball will swing viciously even without the addition of saliva during the World Test Championship Final against New Zealand. The final of the inaugural edition of the tournament to judge the best Test side in the world will begin on June 18 in Southampton.

Ishant Sharma, who has represented India in over 100 Tests is hoping to feature against New Zealand in the all-important final.

“I think it is not that difficult. I think the ball will swing even without salvia and somebody needs to take responsibility to maintain the ball,” Ishant said on the Star Sports show Cricket Connected.

He also added that, “If the ball is maintained well in these conditions, then it becomes easier for the bowlers to take wickets in these conditions.”

Ever since the COVID-19 outbreak last year, the International Cricket Council prohibits bowlers from applying saliva on the ball in order to restrict contamination. Sharma, however, is of the opinion that adjusting to the conditions in England is very important and bowlers can thrive if they manage to do so.

“You need to train differently and adapt to the change. In India, you get the reverse swing after some time, but in England, the length is fuller because of the swing.  So, you have to adjust to the lengths. It is not easy to force that and the weather here is cooler so it takes time to acclimatize to the weather.”

The 32-year-old also added that quarantine makes it difficult for the players to get used to the conditions.

On the other hand, young Indian batsman Shubman Gill believes that in order to survive in England, the batsmen need to learn how to leave risky deliveries.

Citing his experience touring England with the India A and U19 side, Gill mentioned that people around him asked him to stick around for a certain number of balls in order to manage big knocks. However, he believes that batting with the intent to score runs also puts pressure on the opposition bowlers.

“When you are looking to score runs, the bowler gets to the back foot and you can put some pressure on the bowler. I think, at times to survive in England, you have to leave loose balls,” he concluded.