Sri Lankan left-arm throwdown specialist roped in to help India counter Pakistan threat
The Indian team has hired Nuwan Seneviratne, a Lankan throwdown specialist, to help them out in countering the left-arm pacers in the Asia Cup. For the record, Pakistan has as many as four left-arm pacers in the team in the form of Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan, Usman Khan, and Shaheen Afridi.
Pakistan surprised all and sundry with their squad selection for the Asian Games by including as many as six seamers for a series on the traditionally placid pitches of the UAE - among which four are left-arm seamers. It might as well be something to do with India’s traditional fragilities against the left-arm seamers. Understanding the problem that lays ahead, India, despite the presence of Rajasthan left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed in the team, decided to appoint a left-arm throwdown specialist.
So now, Seneviratne, who had played a couple of first-class matches as a pace-bowling all-rounder for Colombo Cricket Club, would join Raghu as the second throwdown specialist in the team. However, the appointment will be short-term and depending on the reviews from the team management. BCCI might well decide to make Seneviratne a permanent presence in the team - keeping an eye on the forthcoming Australia tour in which Mitchell Starc could be a huge threat.
“He (Seneviratne) will be assisting the team only for the Asia Cup. His inclusion is only on a trial basis for now. The BCCI is in regular touch with the Indian team management, and the request to look for a left-arm throwdown
India might potentially play Pakistan three times in the tournament if they go all the way to the final and would have a chance to settle the scores of the Champions Trophy ignominy in which the new-ball pair of Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan had tormented India completely in the final match after Fakhar Jaman scored a century.