CONFIDENT BEHARDIEN

Farhaan Behardien learning from the best to counter spinners

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Farhaan Behardien said that he's learning the art of batting in the subcontinent from the senior players. © Cricbuzz

Playing in a team replete with world-beaters can work for you in contrasting ways. You are left frustrated for the lack of chances coming your way, as Farhaan Behardien would have surely been when he was looking to make his way into the South African team before 2012. Or, you make the most of your chances and learn from the best once you get your chance. Behardien has been doing just this prior to the India series.

Speaking to the press on the eve of the 2nd T20I between India and South Africa in Cuttack, Behardien, who smashed an unbeaten 32 to help his side beat India at Dharamsala, said he has been picking the brains of JP Duminy, AB de Villiers and David Miller - all of whom have extensive Indian Premier League experience - in order to bat better in the sub-continent.

"Playing with JP Duminy is something of a blessing. He has been here so many times. He played IPL and has been part of the Delhi Daredevils side. I've heard a lot from David Miller and AB de Villiers as well. You look at the middle overs in a T20, India generally bowl a lot of spinners during that period. It was nice to stay calm during that time and JP had a calming influence on me."

He also added that AB de Villiers is most likely to bat up the order, so he can use his experience to give his side a good start. "I think so (he will open). Especially with the conditions, because ABD has played here so many times. Everybody knows the first six overs are very important. I think, we will be looking to exploit that with the World Cup in March in mind."

Behardien was of the opinion that having three different captains for the three formats was a good thing for the South Africans. "I think it's awesome. AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis all command a different kind of respect. I think it's nice to have new and fresh ideas in three different formats. It's quite fresh to have that captain's perspective for a particular series. Especially on a long 72-day tour to India, for one guy to have to lead the side towards the back-end. He has to take the press conferences, the meetings and the team selections. So it kind of takes the pressure away. And it keeps the players fresh as well, they have slightly different perspectives. And the entire team enjoys that fresh perspective," he said.

When asked if India's lack of outright pacers was a blessing in disguise for the visitors, Behardien was quick to dismiss that notion. He said every team has their own strengths and that the Indians had good spinners to make up for their lack of fast bowlers. "I don't think it is a disadvantage," he replied. "Every team has its own strengths. We have been fortunate to have four bowlers who can bowl 90 miles an hour. Then again, India have four or five quality spinners. Every team has their own strengths. It's their advantage that they have a lot of spinners and we have to counter that with some good batting."

The 31-year-old also stressed on the importance of their batsmen running well between the wickets at Cuttack as the ground is bigger than Dharamsala. "We haven't been to the ground, but we know it is slightly bigger and the ball won't travel as far (because of the altitude). There will be a lot more ones and twos, even some threes. So running between the wickets will be very important from the batsmen's perspective. From the bowlers' point of view, you have to protect certain pockets in the field. Have slightly different plans than in Dharamsala. Hopefully, we can get some good game plans before tomorrow," he concluded.

© Cricbuzz