India head coach Ravi Shastri on Monday said that it will depend on the dew factor whether the management plays an extra seamer or spinner during its upcoming ICC T20 World Cup campaign starting on 24 October against Pakistan in Dubai.
Shastri also made it clear, India’s objective is to win both of its warmup matches against England and Australia respectively, and also to understand how the players are placed in terms of form and rhythm.
"We'll just try to see how much dew is around and accordingly decide to bat/bowl first. Also helps us decide about playing an extra spinner or seamer," Shastri told former India stumper, Deep Dasgupta, during an interaction for official broadcasters Star Sports.
India will be playing all of the Group 2 matches in the Super 12s round in the evening and that’s where the dew comes into play. The heavier the dew, the more difficult it is for spinners to grip the ball, making stroke-play easier for batsmen.
"Boys have been playing IPL for the last two months, so I don't think they need too much preparation. It's more about them getting together and adapting together. Get some rhythm going, some energy going,” he added.
"Everyone can bat, everyone can bowl (in this game). So it will help us to get an idea about who is doing how. Not really (regarding any locked strategy). We'll just see how things go and work a combination around,” Shastri said on the gains he is looking for from the warmup matches.
(PTI inputs)
