Michael Clarke condemns "negative tactics" by Indian batsmen

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke, who currently is a part of the commentary panel for the India vs Australia series has expressed his disappointment with the Indian batsmen, who have made the Australian bowling attack look world-class. Team India, who were cruising at one stage, in spite of the dismissals of both KL Rahul and Murali Vijay with a steady partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara.

Clarke added that he believes that the Indian batsmen are digging their own grave by “negative tactics.” and voiced his opinion when he was inside the commentary box during the fourth Test. By negative tactics, the former captain has a mean yet solid point to make.

While talking on air Clarke said that the Australian team has only utilised a fielder at mid-wicket with the other sweeper on the leg-side and at the fine leg. With two middle order right-hand batsmen at the crease, who possess sound technique and beautiful feet movement, the pair could just drive it harmlessly down the ground or tuck it away.

Alongside rotating the strike it would not have allowed the offie Nathan Lyon to get any sort of momentum in his bowling stride which would have drastically reduce his chances of taking wickets. There are two point of views for Clarke’s controversial statement- one being a positive one and another a negative one.

The positive being that if the pair adds on too many dot balls in the middle, it would create pressure on the other batsmen to score huge in real quick time. Also by not rotating strike, it would put on additional pressure on them to get runs at a faster rate.

Other perception is that the former Australian captain has not given due credit to the offie Lyon who worked hard outside the off-stump to grip and turn the ball with such revolutions. The uneven bounce has put the batsmen in the corridor of uncertainty.