Bouncers to Rohit Sharma? New Zealand captain talks about India’s top-order challenge

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner knows there are few simple answers to India’s formidable top order when it comes to bowling. Specifically, going for Rohit Sharma may no longer be an obvious solution.

“Teams have tried to go short of Rohit before but he is hitting them for sixes now,” Santner said on the eve of the first ODI against India, which starts on Wednesday.

With Rohit, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill set to headline the Indian batting line-up, New Zealand have their work cut out for them in a top three that combines experience, consistency and attacking intent. However, Santner believes there are no secrets to bowling in the 50-over format. The challenge lies in creating pressure and adapting to the conditions.

“Virat Kohli is the anchor for them. Shubman Gill has been outstanding,” Santner said, acknowledging the threat posed by India’s batting mainstays.

“Their role is to go pretty hard at the top and then create a good score in the middle and let their power come at the end,” he added.

New Zealand will be especially wary of Kohli and Rohit, who have enjoyed considerable success in the country. Kohli has scored 596 runs in 13 ODIs in New Zealand, including a century in Napier in 2014, on his first ODI outing in the country. Meanwhile, Rohit has amassed 437 runs in 14 matches with four half-centuries.

Gill has a relatively modest record of scoring 124 runs in five ODIs, including one fifty. But Santner believes the young opener has established himself as a formidable presence in international cricket.

“Of course Rohit and Kohli have been doing it for a long time. Shubman has also been outstanding in the last five years,” he said.

NATURE OF KEY COURSE: SANTNER

The New Zealand captain said his bowling group had already discussed how to approach India’s top order, with the nature of the surface likely to dictate their plans.

“If the pitch offers more than last night, can you do it for a long time and attack the batter? And then when it’s flat, how do we change? What does it look like? Subtle field changes,” Santner said.

“But I think there’s not too much mystery with ODI cricket with the bowling. It’s just creating pressure and trying to take wickets that way.”

The conditions at Eden Park could add another dimension to the contest. New Zealand recently amassed 259 in a T20I in Aucklandsuggesting that the surface could offer plenty for batters. With the game scheduled for late evening, dew may also become a factor.

The attention around India’s star batsmen was already evident. Rohit and Kohli have generated considerable fanfare during training sessions and Santner expects that interest to translate into high attendances.

“I think it draws the crowds. We’ve had really good crowds throughout the T20 series and I expect them to be the same when Rohit and Virat are here,” he said.

“They are getting on but they are still playing very well. We saw that in the last series against the West Indies. I have seen it for a long time. I have seen Rohit in the IPL as well.”

The challenge for New Zealand will be to find the right lengths, maintain discipline and prevent the Indian front three from dictating the conditions. Santner knows that plans on paper will have little money if there is no execution.

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