IND vs SA | Shabaz Nadeem is a complete spinner, says Sanjay Bangar
Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes that Shahbaz Nadeem has different variations for different tracks which make him a complete bowler. The Jharkhand left-arm spinner finally got his Test debut on his home ground as he picked four wickets in the match to help India win.
Sanjay Bangar was extremely happy that finally, the hard work Shahbaz Nadeem did in domestic cricket paid off. The left-arm spinner had over 400 wickets in first-class cricket before making his debut. It would have been unfair for him had he retired without playing a game for India. So Bangar was extremely pleased with the team management backing Nadeem to play as he deserved his chance.
"Well, there have been some illustrious who did not get to play for the country. So I am glad because Shabaz is a quality bowler. He has done a lot of hard work," Bangar said in a chat on ESPN Cricinfo.
Nadeem was set to make his Test debut back in 2017 on the tour to Sri Lanka but was unfortunate to miss out. Kuldeep Yadav, unfortunately, suffered an injury due to which Nadeem was called in as a replacement. The team management backed him and he got his opportunity as he was included at the last moment in the playing eleven. He is a very skilful and cunning bowler.
"He had a chance back in 2017 in Sri Lanka. But he finally got his chance. It was a last-minute exclusion and team management backed him to play," Bangar said.
When the pitch does not have enough assistance, Nadeem tries to mix up the pace and different release points so that it could create some kind of doubt in the Batsman's mind. This makes him a complete spinner according to Bangar.
"He is skillful of bowling and different pace and different points of release. He is a complete spinner," he said.
Ravindra Jadeja is India's first-choice left-arm spinner in Tests. When asked about the major difference between Nadeem and Jadeja. Bangar mentioned that Jadeja sometimes becomes predictable with his line and lengths. He has the habit of bowling all six balls in one spot. Thus, he is threatening on a wicket that is assisting the spinners. But on a flat track, Nadeem has more variations as he can beat the batsman in the air as seen in the way he dismissed Temba Bavuma and can spin the ball differently by undercutting it
"Jadeja would require some assistance from the wicket. But Nadeem can toss the ball and beat the batsman in flight, He can undercut the ball. He can be an all wicket bowler," he concluded.
