Australian former Speedster Mitchell Johnson Calls Indian Squad for T20 WC a ‘Risky take’

Veteran Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, who is in India to take part in Legends League Cricket, in an interview shared his take on India’s squad composition for the T20 World Cup, which is to be held in Australia.
Johnson believes that the team seems a “bit risky” as they are “a pacer short” for the bouncy pitches Down Under in Australia. With the skillful, Mohammed Shami kept on standby. Indian selectors have left the Indian Captain Rohit Sharma depending on the quartet of Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, and Arshdeep Singh.

Johnson stated that India might be looking to play with two pacers and an all-rounder (Hardik Pandya), and two spinners. He further points out that playing with a fast bowling all-rounder and a couple of spinners, four fast bowlers is a bit of a risk.

“In Australia you surely need to play three fast bowlers, possibly four in certain conditions, for example Perth. I guess they have a plan going in but it is a bit of a risk if you only take four (pacers),” Johnson told PTI.

Also Read: Legends League Cricket’s 2nd Edition Shifted To India From Oman

Mitchell Johnson emphasizes bowling in right line and length

The former left-arm tearaway quick bowler further weighed the fact that the Indian set-up only has Bumrah who can consistently clock 140 clicks upwards but pace can’t be the only criteria to form a potent bowler. As Johnson finds the emphasis on pace funny.

“Those kinds of things are funny. If someone can bowl 145 plus, you don’t need another guy bowling at the same pace. you need guys that back each other up, work together.”

Moreover, Johnson cited how during the 2013-14 Ashes, where his fellow fast bowlers, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle complimented him. Which had helped them literally drub the English team.

“During the 2013-14 Ashes, there was a lot of talk about me bowling fast and that was great but at the other end I had Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris who had their own strengths and could also hit 140s. So it is all about the balance in the team.”

However, while emphasising on the benefits of a third fast bowler in the team, Johnson also mentioned the importance of keeping the line and length accurate to use the bouncy Australian pitches to the fullest.

“The main thing in Australia is the extra bounce and pace and adjusting your length, you can get carried away and bowl a bit too short.”

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Also Read: Indian Cricket Team T20 World Cup Squad Announced By BCCI

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