Sky’s cloud-touchers and Kohli’s menace: India’s quartet of part-timers, ranked

Rohit Sharma decided to employ nine bowlers, including himself, against the Netherlands. Here’s how the home team’s gang of part-timers performed.

“I see them bowling all the time in the nets.”

span Some thought it was a bizarre display of power as the table leader provoked lesser opponents with a rarely used combination of bowlers.

But not necessarily. Laughter aside, it was an opportunity for India to give its reserve players some World Cup experience, especially training in the nets. Whichever way you look at it, it was an interesting sight to see the Indian batting line up with the ball.

Here are their pitching skill rankings against the Netherlands:

Suryakumar Yadav

Part-time verdict: Don’t quit your day job

My bowling debut was even worse. Suryakumar, who made his off-break debut in international cricket, responded to the ‘SKY’ slogan by playing the shots with joy. The first ball was a dirty leg-side shift that deserved harsher treatment than just a ball. Having understood the style, Teja Nidamanal had no difficulty bringing it to the deep midwicket stand. Not once, but twice with two balls. For a moment, it seemed like Daan van Bunge’s revenge had been fulfilled.

Looking at his numbers, you’ll see that they’re not as bleak as you might think. He took 24 wickets at 22.91 in first class cricket. He’s a bench player who scores when he comes on. But today is different.

Shubman Gill

Part-time verdict: Updating his LinkedIn

Gill’s attack is exquisite. His bowling style is as simple and proper as possible.

Virat Kohli could not contain his laughter, but there was steely determination in Gill’s eyes. He served some flat, monotonous dishes while arranging the cakes in a respectful and traditional manner. After a few singles, Bas de Leede had enough and released short, slow singles all at once.

To his credit, this was the only restriction he allowed. And in fact, these are the highest numbers he can achieve while bowling with Chinnaswamy.

Virat Kohli

Part-time verdict: Angling for a promotion

Who else is there? A true crowd pleaser. He had given Star Sports a week’s worth of replays when Kohli (or Rohit), in the words of the head coach, decided that the eccentric attacker would throw in something. Kohli laughed as the run-up reached its end. “Then he perked up, counted the fielders, threw the ball, and began his magic.

What followed was the usual floating seam of his lanky, dishonest actions. Everything was put into the fabric.

And then a miracle happened. A wicket caused by a stinky angler well down the leg side for the first time in 3,572 days. The captain is gone.

Kori laughed. Anushka laughed from the stands. It was a small Diwali gift to their loyal fan base in Bangalore.

Rohit Sharma

Part-time verdict: Ready for a career change

Rohit, an IPL hat-trick player, has rarely bowled with international players. He is probably the most talented part-time worker in India. His contribution gave India an important wicket, although he lasted five balls.

Rohit was carted to deep midwicket in the sixth over before entering the wicket of Nida Manul. But Rohit’s reaction showed how much he understands the game. Like last time, this one was floating and I was able to hit it, but it was wider than last time. Nidamanuru took the bait and sent a punch to the throat of long-on.

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The article “Sky’s Cloud Touchers and Kohli’s Menace: India’s Quartet of Part-Timers” was first published in Wisden.