Why is the modern Indian ODI batsman incapable of bowling?

[Sin Nombre]

In the past, almost every one of the Indian batsmen could do a job as the 5th/6th/7th bowler; be it Yuvi, Raina, Sachin, Sehwag, Ganguly. Only Gambhir could not bowl.

These days, none of the Indian batting regulars can bowl (Kohli, Rohit, Dhawan) neither can the middle order failed experiments (Rahane, Pandey) nor can the young guns (Gill, Shaw) or the inbetweeners like Shreyas Iyer.

The only ones who can are the two Pandya brothers and Kedar.

In the past, India often could get away with playing 4 specialist bowlers which is obviously no longer the case when nobody (except Kedar when he is played) in your front 6 can bowl.


Does PP think this is a coaching issue or Indian batsmen having big egos are refusing to learn how to turn the arm?

 

[Sidilicious]

It probably is an issue due to prevalence of the T20 format.

In T20, only 20 overs need to be batted, so one can do with having specialist batsmen and 5 bowlers now days. I reckon thats the issue that you dont get batsman who are part timers.

I am sure growing up, like most kids, all of the batsman, bowl a bit. Earlier due to prevalence of First class/50 over cricket, the cricketers would get enough opportunities to bowl. This would allow them to develop their bowling to an extent that they could be counted as part timers. Not the case anymore.

 

[the_outsider]

It probably is an issue due to prevalence of the T20 format.

In T20, only 20 overs need to be batted, so one can do with having specialist batsmen and 5 bowlers now days. I reckon thats the issue that you dont get batsman who are part timers.

I am sure growing up, like most kids, all of the batsman, bowl a bit. Earlier due to prevalence of First class/50 over cricket, the cricketers would get enough opportunities to bowl. This would allow them to develop their bowling to an extent that they could be counted as part timers. Not the case anymore.

Excellent observation.

More than part-timers, what's really hurting this Indian team is the incredibly long tail. England have batters till number 10, sometimes even 11. Aus have batters down to no 10. NZ have batting down to no 9.

But - at best - India has Bhuvi coming in at no 8 followed by 3 absolute tailenders. It puts a lot of pressure on the middle and lower-middle order. No wonder our middle order has struggled since Kulcha and Bumrah became regulars in the XI.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Those were days being average in both skills was acceptable and you’d make your way into many teams being the Sanjay Bangar/Ian Harvey/Ronnie Irani type of bowlers.

Also that was an era mad hitting was still not prevalent Envee average skill level bowlers got away with it and didn’t get smashed around a lot.

Imagine some of these bowlers bowling now to modern day T20 format bread batsman? They will be destroyed.

The game now rewards specialist players.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Forget about bowling modern Indian batsmen should first learn to stay on the wicket and polish their primary skill which is batting.