Vivian Richards gives his mantra to playing short-pitched bowling. Are Indian cricketers listening?

Playing the short ball is all in the mind: Vivian Richards

Vivian Richards gives his mantra to playing short-pitched bowling. Are Indian cricketers listening?

There are not many who know how to play the short ball better than Vivian Richards. The West Indian great was never afraid to hook or pull and did that without wearing a helmet even when he had the opportunity to wear one.

"I had read stories of Indian batsmen not being comfortable against the short stuff and it wasn't a pretty sight to see them struggle the way they did," Richards told MiD DAY.

"All of us were surprised because India have produced players like Sunil Gavaskar, Gundappa Viswanath, Sanjay Manjrekar, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, who over the years, have handled short deliveries and got runs.

Hence, it's difficult to understand why the current crop is struggling," the blaster, who has 8,521 Test and 6,721 ODI runs to his credit, added.

Gautam Gambhir is all at sea against a rising delivery during India's World T20 game against West Indies

"They are already winning matches when the ball doesn't bounce much. If they can adapt to conditions like in Barbados, they will have no problems in playing at grounds like the Wanderers (in Johannesburg), where genuine pace bowlers get a lot of help. And if they can handle that, they will surely win a lot more tournaments," said Richards.

"Only those who get runs in all conditions will be regarded as champions. It's never nice to hear a batsman say he can play spin well but not pace or vice versa. That's not the hallmark of a good batsman," Richards added.

Richards, who was at ease even against the likes of speedkings Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thompson, said playing the bouncing ball had a lot to do with the mind.

"A cricket ball can produce excitement when it bounces up to your chest or mouth or even higher and there are techniques to handle that. It is all in the mind and you need to prepare well for it. You also need to realise that your own pride and the nation's prestige is at stake. You have to keep telling yourself that you have to
succeed," said Richards.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels