In the Asia Cup final against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, bowling coach Morne Morkel feels that the team hasn’t yet played the “complete game” and, while he doesn’t mind winning a “ugly” one, he does expect the batting unit to improve under pressure.
With the exception of Abhishek Sharma’s fireworks, the batting display hasn’t exactly been impressive in pressure cooker situations, even if Indian spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy have stopped most batting units, including Pakistan, in their tracks.
“I don’t think in this tournament so far, we have played the complete game. After every game there has to be discussions of areas we would like to improve and get better on. So, it’s just a general thinking that when put a little bit under pressure, we need to get sharper,” Morkel evaluated prior to Sunday’s intense final.
Morkel then enumerated the batting areas that need improvement.
“If we start with the batting, can we on tough conditions rotate strike a little bit better? Can we protect partnerships a little bit? Because for a new batter walking in here is quite tough to start, but still have that aggressive mindset,” he said.
Then, he discussed areas of execution when bowling under pressure.
“From a bowling point of view, let’s talk specifically about the first six or the first 10 overs. How we can improve with our lengths, with our accuracy, with our thinking, with ball in hand.
“In those middle phases, just sort of our over-sequence in terms of maybe bringing in an odd yorker. I think the trend has been, because the wicket is slightly on the slower side, to go off-pace but batters are lining that up,” he analysed.
According to him, the team is capable of handling any pressure that comes with the final.
“I mean, the boys have got all the skills. They have played in a lot…but I just think for this group, when put under a little bit of pressure, we just need to have more clarity in thinking. At the end of the day, we can have all the plans, but we still need to execute better,” Morkel made a clear allusion to India’s poor bowling performance against Sri Lanka on Friday.
According to Morkel, Suryakumar Yadav’s team is currently improving, and he wouldn’t mind notching up a few close victories along the way.
“We (as team) by no means are a finished article and we know that. But luckily we have won, and we have won sometimes in ugly fashion, but we will take that. And as a group, always take the learning and look to improve and take it on Sunday,” the coach added.
