Debasis Sen, Johannesburg: An Indian origin spinner was behind David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen’s rampage against Kuldeep Chahal and Yuzuvendra Chahal in the Pink ODI at Wanderers on Saturday.
In a bid to unfold the mystery of the two Indian wrist spinners, the Proteas team management has drafted in somebody who has played at the First Class level in India.
Ajay Rajput, who played Ranji Trophy for Madhya Pradesh in the 2013-14 season was called at the South African nets ahead of the series deciding fourth ODI. Ajay is presently playing at the Johannesburg Premier league and is the highest wicket taker among the spinners having claimed over 400 wickets already.
“I was given a call by the Johannesburg Cricket Club chairman to come and bowl at South African batsman,” said the Jabalpur boy to www.xtratime.in after the match.
Ajay is primarily an off-spinner but can also bowl leg spin. A day before the Pink ODI Ajay was seen bowling at Markram, Duminy and Amla for a long time.
“The South Africans feel Chahal and Kuldeep are bowling slower through the air, allowing the ball to drift and turn. So, I was asked to flight the ball and bowl as slow as possible to get familiar with the turn,” said Ajay, who has been playing league cricket in Johannesburg for five years.
“The difference between here and India is the bounce.I used to get turn even back home but here I get that extra bounce, which just makes matter more difficult for batsmen.”
It goes to be seen whether Proteas batsmen can repeat the carnage against the Indian spinners in the next ODI at Port Elizabeth on Tuesday.