This Indian bowling attack is different, it's challenging to get used to them: Dawid Malan

England batter Dawid Malan reckons that Indian bowlers are tough to get used to. Malan was a part of the England team that fought with visitors India in the Pataudi Trophy, which they lagged by 2-1 at the time of its abrupt halt, as the fifth and final Test in Manchester was cancelled due to a Covid-19 spread in the Indian camp.

Malan, who played a Test before this series way back in 2018, stated that the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj are all very unique and that makes it difficult for the batters to tackle them when they attack in unison.

“They’ve all been pretty tough. I think the one thing about this Indian attack is they’re all slightly different. They all have different release points and different things they do with the ball, which makes it so challenging you to know you can never get used to (them),” Malan was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

“If you think you are getting used to one of them, they just come at you with different challenges all the time so you know it’s really tough to pick them. They’ve all been really, really good this series,” he added.

Hard for me to comment on why R Ashwin wouldn’t be playing: Dawid Malan

Speaking about India’s premier off-spinner R Ashwin, world No. 2 in ICC Test bowler’s rankings who did not play even a single game out of the four that were possible before the Covid disruption, Malan said: “It’s not because he’s not a great bowler, he is a serious bowler. He is one of the best spinners that’s ever played the game, but you know, it’s hard for me to comment on why he wouldn’t be playing.”

“…If you look at the conditions and if you were playing two spinners he would probably be tougher (Ravindra Jadeja). I guess the captain, or the leadership of the Indian team probably had the decision to make between Jadeja or Ashwin and they went the other way.

“They led 2-1 so you know you can’t really argue (with that decision). I’m quite happy as a left-hander that he did not play, which is pretty good,” said Malan.

Talking about his Test comeback, Malan said: “Yes and no. You know, to get a score in that first Test was good.. disappointed not to (have) capitalised on that one to score a hundred. It was a really good batting wicket so to get out the way I did this was obviously disappointing,” he said.

“And then the first innings at The Oval. To get to 30 once again on a wicket that was playing well and to get out was tough, was disappointing from my point of view. You know I’ve come in, I feel like I’ve hit the ball well I’ve moved well,” he added.