Try and bowl more with scrambled seam – Auqib Nabi highlights the key variation working for him in New Zealand
Auqib Nabi will be a crucial part of the Indian bowling line-up as they will be without Anshul Kamboj for the last two ODIs. As India gear up for the fourth contest of the series which will be played at Bay Oval in Tauranga where there are no potential forecasts of a shower for at least the next 3-4 days, one can expect fast-bowlers to enjoy the conditions.
Talking at the pre-match presser ahead of the fourth ODI, Nabi opened up on his key strengths that have worked out for him so far. He also highlighted how the wicket has played a part in shaping the fate of the games so far while pinpointing the main skillset that can be massively conducive for the fast-bowlers in New Zealand.
Shedding light on his skillset, Nabi said, “If you have pace, then it is really good. I back my own skills. I have done well in the domestic (back in the country). I have come here based on my skill. Obviously, if there is pace, it is a plus factor, but I believe in my skillset. Since I have done well in the domestic, I believe this will also come handy in New Zealand.”
Explaining his thought process of bowling in New Zealand, Nabi added, “The pressure is obviously there. No matter whichsoever wicket you are bowling on, you will have to deliver the good balls. Whether you get help from the surface or it’s a flat wicket, your motive always remains that you bowl in the good areas. When you get some help from the wicket, obviously, you still have to bowl with a lot of concentration. The reason being, if you miss your mark, you can still get smashed by the batter.”
Reflecting on one of the key variations that he has extensively used in New Zealand so far, Nabi stated, “This is my first time bowling in New Zealand. Hence, it is slightly different because you have to rely on the seam movement. Ideally, top level batters are used to swinging conditions. So the feedback from the senior batters in my team has been to focus on the seam movement. Possibly try and bowl more with scrambled seam or may be if I am able to hit the deck hard, then chances of getting a wicket increase.”
He concluded by talking about conversations amongst the bowlers, adding, “We bowlers talk amongst us about how we can bowl differently on different wickets. Since there are a lot of drop-in wickets, Arshdeep (Singh) or Anshul (Kamboj) or any other pacer, there is a lot of conversation around which balls should be the best fit on these wickets.”
