IN THE END, INDIA GET HEADACHE

In absence of pace ace Bumrah, pacers' lack of discipline at the death a new concern for Rohit & Co

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN

WHEN India's T20 outfit began the year under the new regime of Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma, the task in front of them was simple enough. Get the batters, if they are batting first, to give the bowlers something to bowl at. For all their bilateral prowess in the format, conservative top-order batting, irrespective of the wickets lost, has cost them games previously. On batting strips, that safety-first approach had left them with just about par totals. That innings against Pakistan at last year's World Cup was a prime example.

Almost 10 months later, Dravid, Sharma and Co seemingly have a new problem to contend with. Get the bowlers to defend above par totals. The top-order have wholeheartedly bought into the concept but the bowlers, once famed for their control, are not in control of their radar, especially at the death.