There is nobody better than Rahul Dravid to teach you how to play a pull shot: Mohammad Kaif

In an exclusive interview with Star Sports, cricket expert MD. Kaif provides valuable insights into India's preparations and strategy ahead of their ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 opener against Australia. Kaif highlights the key dangermen in the Australian lineup and emphasizes the importance of countering their spin duo, Maxwell and Zampa. He also discusses the challenges Indian batsmen face against spin and outlines his expectations for the match in Chennai. Additionally, Kaif shares his thoughts on Shreyas Iyer's technique against the short ball and how the guidance of Rahul Dravid, India's head coach, can help him master the pull shot.

Kaif spoke on who the dangermen for Australia will be, he said “Add Maxwell’s name to the mix because of the variety Maxwell offers along with Zampa once the ball gets older, after Mitchell Starc’s fierce in swingers with the new ball in the first 20 overs. Hence preparations must be made to especially tackle Maxwell and Zampa trying to slow down the game. And it’s been an issue with Indian batsman that they have been lately losing their wickets to spin. 

In my opinion, because it’s the first match and also at a venue like Chennai, we shouldn’t be expecting a huge score like 350. Aiming for 290-300 would still work for India, as we have good bowlers who are capable of defending the total. So I would want to we bowl and field well, and also for Kohli to control the game during the middle overs with his knack of quick singles and doubles. And most importantly if the Indian batsman uses their feet well against Zampa and Maxwell, there is no stopping them.”

MD. Kaif also spoke on Shreyas Iyer’s weakness to pull shot, he said “Look, there is nobody better than Rahul Dravid to teach you how to play a pull shot, or how to get into position while playing a hook. The nature of the tennis ball is to swing late and come in, so you have to watch the ball till the end, and the back foot should also rotate while the batsman is standing on his toes, that’s when a pull shot connects. So I feel Dravid has implied the perfect technique. Dravid also believes that working hard in the nets and working on correcting one faults working on techniques is what makes great players really great. The match is on the 8th, but the two days we are going to get in between are going to be very handy to work on these techniques and correct one’s mistakes. 

Because it is a given Iyer is going to be hit with bouncers, it is also a known fact that he struggles to the short ball, and even get out to them. Cummins, Stark, and Hazlewood are definitely going to bowl bouncers, but I’m confident Iyer will get benefits from the drill, and because of the protective gear worn there is no fear of being hit by the tennis ball, so he can more freely practice the shot without worrying. When you practice with a cricket ball, there always is that fear of being hit, so you aren’t able to practice freely.

But it’s a good practice that Dravid was hitting it low with a tennis bat, making the ball to rise towards the batsmen, and this the best technique to practice pull. And as I said earlier, there is nobody better than Dravid to teach the pull shot. But this practice of hitting the ball low to make it rise is a good one, and Iyer must not only practice it today, but he must keep working on it in the future as well.”

Also Check: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Teams & Squads