We will continue to target Brad Haddin with bouncers: Ravichandran Ashwin

Brad Haddin

Melbourne, Dec 27 (IANS) India have vowed to continue bowling short-pitched deliveries to Brad Haddin, even though he scored 55 here on Saturday, as they believe that the wicket-keeper remains vulnerable to bouncers after watching him fend meekly in the second innings of the second Test.

There was no subtlety at all in India's tactics to Haddin, whose 55 was every bit as valuable as his string of game-changing innings during last summer's Ashes whitewash, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Despite having a ball that, at 10-overs old, would have provided enough movement in the air and off the deck if pitched up, India were hell-bent on bouncing him out again.

But, with two men stationed in the deep for the hook and pull shot, India had taken away the element of surprise with the short ball. Knowing what was coming, Haddin played the cross-bat shots with confidence and startling effect, particularly against Mohammed Shami.

So predictable were India with their short stuff that Haddin had enough time to club them well in front of square. He should prepare for more short-pitched assaults after the Indians declared they would continue with their strategy.

"Did he seem comfortable with it? If you say so. We really thought he had a genuine weakness over there and we continue to think he has a weakness over there," Ravichandran Ashwin said when asked why India thought they could bounce Haddin out.

"We will continue to target him in the next Test match, the next innings as well. He doesn't quite look comfortable, so that's the idea with that."

Haddin had been one of the few people in Australia not worried about his form with the bat, and the reason for his self-assuredness has become apparent. He turned what was perceived as a weakness into a weapon, hooking, pulling and swatting India's bowlers with ease.

If anything, India bowled Haddin back into form.