India like a runaway train, won't be intimidated by bouncers: Dale Steyn
The South African speedster believes that the current crop of Indian youngsters are not vulnerable to short-pitched deliveries. However, he adds that he wants to make them feel as uncomfortable as possible.
Dale Steyn will lead the formidable South African pace attack in the upcoming three-match One-Day International (ODI) and two-Test home series against India. However, the world's most-feared speedster refuses to buy the argument that Indian batsmen are susceptible to short-pitched bowling. Writing in his newspaper column, Steyn believes that the current crop of youngsters are formidable competitors. (Top-five Indians to watch out for)
"This Indian team is very 'modern' and they will not be intimidated by the short ball," Steyn wrote in the Times of India. "They all know what to expect and I know they won't be vulnerable to a barrage of bouncers." The 30-year-old also added that during the recent ODI series against West Indies, 'they resembled a runaway train with the bat'.
Steyn, however, is well prepared before the start of the series having done a video analysis of Indian batsmen. "I use as much information as I can get about the opposition. I have specific plans for all of the Indian batsmen and I can't wait to put them into action," he added. Steyn knows, with Duncan Fletcher as a coach, India will be well prepared and the hosts are not expecting to catch the opposition by surprise. "Well, maybe with one or two little things. It's always good to try and stay ahead of the game!"
South Africa lost their recent three-match ODI series at home to Pakistan 2-1 but Steyn picked up nine wickets in just two games, including a career-best 6 for 39. "In two of my last three ODIs I have improved my career-best figures and much of the reason has been down to preparation and analysis," he wrote. "Despite a couple of losses to Pakistan at home we know we are on the right path and improving all the time. There will no better or stiffer test of our skills than against India." (Top-five South Africans to watch out for)
Steyn is widely considered to be the best fast bowler in world cricket currently but he says that there is room for improvement. "Sometimes, as a bowler, you think you have been bowling a certain line or length but the evidence suggests differently. Even at the age of 30 and supposedly at the 'top of my game', I am learning all the time," Steyn concludes.