The Everlasting woes of the Indian top order against left-arm pacers

After a convincing performance in the first match, India went off-track in the second ODI. While chasing a target of 247 runs, the Indian batting lineup was bundled out for 146 runs.

Much like the third T20I, the Indian top order was done by the English left-arm duo of Reece Topley and David Willey. 

In this article, we try and find out why the top-Indian batters struggle against the left-armers.

• The way India have projected their players in the recent series, the top order of the team, will have Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav as the top order for the gala event.

Let us look at the records of these four against left-arm bowling

Indian Top four vs Left-arm pacers

Overall

Last Two years

• RPD- Runs Per Dismissal

• BPD- Balls Per Dismissal

KL Rahul has the best overall record against left-arm pacers among the Indian top-order batters. But his form has also dipped against them in the last two years. 

What is the problem?

• As a batter, a left-arm pacer bowling from over the wicket is indeed a difficult angle to manage. 

• The biggest problem the Indian top order faces is the ball coming in from that angle. 

And the primary concern is the fact that not only one batter but the whole top order finds it challenging to manage the incoming ball.

With the World Cup approaching, the team management must take measures to handle this technical glitch as it will be on the opposition’s radar.