INDIA'S TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA, 2018

Footwork key as India hunt for overseas success formula

by Subramaniam Badrinath • Last updated on

Another touring Indian side has lost a series in South Africa. A lot has been talked and written about the preparations, and the lack of it, before they landed in South Africa, the selection calls that the team management has made. Many might say the Indian side fought hard against the hosts and the conditions on offer. India could have won one or even both Tests. But they didn't, and now find themselves on the verge of a first ever whitewash loss in the African country.

Any single factor cannot be pointed at for the position India find themselves in. The bowlers have to be applauded for taking 20 wickets in both Tests. But the same cannot be said of India's batting or fielding. Looking at India's batting performances in the series, it's tough for one not to mention the lackadaisical way in which some of them got out in the second Test. However, there is case for one to dig deeper and look at things from a more technical standpoint.

Conditions-wise, there have been two starkly contrasting pitches on view in this series. The Newlands track had a lot of pace, bounce and lateral movement - in short it was a seamers' delight. On the other hand, Centurion was on the slower side, and showcased significant variable bounce.

On both tracks, the lack of footwork from India's batsman was underlined quite dark.

Both tracks demanded that the batsmen play the ball close to the body, right under the eyes. That would be a more straightforward thing to do when the ball is pitched right up, or when it's headed straight towards you with no sideways movement. To be able to do it when the ball is moving around, good, confident footwork becomes imperative.

Looking closer at the dismissals of the Indian batsmen, the issues can be clearly seen in the cases of Rohit Sharma, Murali Vijay and KL Rahul. Compare this with what Virat Kohli did during his epic knock of 153 in the first innings at Centurion and the difference starts to emerge. Even though South Africa's pacers where racking up the pace, Kohli was able to get his foot out, get his head over the ball and execute the shot he wanted to.

There's very little time to react against such skillful and pacey bowlers, so it would be unfair to just appraise that the batsmen totally lacked footwork. But, however tough the conditions where, and however slanted the questions would have felt, the batsmen needed to figure out the responses and the answers. Only Kohli, AB de Villiers and to an extent Faf du Plessis have managed to do it so far.

In the modern era, cricket lays almost all the importance on the head position. Rightly so, the head position is paramount because it works as the camera for the body, it grabs information from the bowler - his delivery stride, the ball, its seam, the pace it's coming down at, the angle it's bringing with it, the spin on it, or the swing. However, if a good head position is not followed by proper footwork, it becomes very dangerous.

David Warner may boast of such a technique, but he plays mostly in Australia, where there is not much lateral movement, and gets away with it. Additionally, his skill at executing horizontal bat shots helps him further excel. Otherwise, you would need the skill of a Virender Sehwag or a VVS Laxman to turn that deficiency into a strength, and as we all know players such as those possibly come only once in a generation.

Technique is just science when dissolved in simpler terms. By getting forward and closer to the ball, or the pitch of a ball, that's when the full width of the bat is present to counter any movement the ball may offer.

Similarly, getting back quick allows you the extra second to counter any late swing and variable bounce. A batsman in able to take a delayed decision and protect his wicket, or score runs.

It's sometimes sad to see, that at the highest level, the basics of the game - getting to the pitch, grounding the bat while running - are being brought up time and again. Mistakes do happen, but it should not come as a result of taking the obvious for granted.

The best of the best had the strongest basics, at the nets, during a practice game, or an international, and when things got tough, it is the basics that usually helps in getting them an extended lifeline.

On a green Wanderers wicket, the Indian batters' technique, basics and footwork will all come under question again. Let's hope for their sake that they've found the answers to the questions many of us are asking.

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