'You can trap them when ball comes in' - Chaminda Vaas dissects India's left-arm pace weakness

India have been having below-par outings in the ICC tournaments since 2014 as they’ve failed to win a major trophy for over ten years now. Despite dominating the oppositions in the group stages, the Asian giants end up making a mess of things during knockouts which lead to their elimination from big events. One of the most common patterns in India’s losses at big stages is their inability to counter against a left-arm speedster.

Time and again, Indian batters have faltered against a lethal left-arm quick who would just run through their top order and set the game for his side. Legendary Sri Lankan left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas has also given his input on Indian batters’ weakness saying that most players end up struggling with the ball coming back in from a left-hander from over the wicket.

“If I’m playing, I’m doing the same thing. I’m trying to bring the ball in with a fielder at midwicket, get them (India's top-order) out LBW or bowled. Most left-armers naturally bring the ball in, bowlers like Trent Boult or Shaheen Shah Afridi, all try to bring the ball in. You have to do it at the right place at the right length. If you do that, most batters in the world, you can trap them when the ball comes in,” Vaas was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Notably, left-arm seamers such as Trent Boult, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Amir have troubled Indian batters in recent times during knockouts and knocked them out of ICC events.

Meanwhile, further being asked about his predictions for the upcoming Asia Cup and ODI World Cup, Vaas said that the competitions are quite open as any team on their day can turn things up in the 50-over format.

All the teams are equal if you come to the 50-over format: Vaas

“It’s difficult to predict. It’s a different format, 50 overs of cricket in different conditions. Sri Lanka are trying to defend the (Asia Cup) title. India and Sri Lanka have won many Asia Cups, Pakistan only a few, but they are also contenders. All the teams are equal if you come to the 50-over format. If you have a balanced batting and bowling team, on their day anybody can turn things up with this format,” he added.

Notably, Asia Cup 2023 will begin from August 30 and will be jointly hosted by Pakistan and defending champions Sri Lanka. On the other hand, the ODI World Cup 2023 will be held in India from October 05 onwards. With the tournament being hosted in Asia, the Asian teams are expected to dominate the cricketing extravaganza and take the cup home.