TIL Desk Sports/ He was one of the best leg-spinners in the business in his playing days and while Mushtaq Ahmed has turned to coaching after retirement, he knows what it takes to be a part of India-Pakistan games in the World Cup.
Having played against India in the 1992 and 1996 World Cups, the Deccan Gladiators head coach believes it will be all about temperament when the two teams clash in the T20 World Cup on Sunday. Mushtaq said more than talent, it will be the temperament of players that will be tested when the arch-rivals clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Having picked five wickets in two World Cup encounters against India (3 in 1992 and 2 in 1996), Mushtaq did rise to the challenge against quality Indian batsmen. And the player-turned-coach feels strategising will be important when it comes to attacking two of India’s best batsmen in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
“Rohit takes his time and is smart and I feel an inswing bowler can be effective against him at the beginning of his innings. It creates a bit of a problem for him. Also, bouncers can work on slow wickets as he is a compulsive puller so that can work if you set the field well.
“For Kohli, I believe you have to play with the field setting. It is white-ball cricket so you won’t have much swing. But the key will be to make him earn the first 10-15 runs by keeping the fielding tight. In that case, he will try to hit over the fielders and that can create chances,” he explained.
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