'Bowlers face difficulty due to new rule'

BANGALORE: Indian batsman Virat Kohli on Friday said the new ODI rule, which enforces an extra fielder inside the 30-yard circle at all times, should be looked into as it is working against the bowlers.

"In batting-friendly conditions, it is very hard for the captain to contain runs and has been difficult for the bowlers. Hence, the rule should be be looked into as far as keeping five fielders (inside the circle) is concerned," Kohli told reporters at the pre-match press conference.

"It is ICC's decision to give us the rule. So I can't comment more," he added.

With this new rule in place, India and Australia together have scored a phenomenal 2,565 runs from four ODIs so far, excluding the 295 the visiting team scored in the abandoned one-dayer in Ranchi.

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni also had commented that a few Indian bowlers felt it would be better to put a bowling machine in the field instead of they rolling their arms in the ongoing ODI series, after they were being hit all over the park by Australia.

Kohli said the rule of five fielders inside the circle puts part-time bowlers, who were big weapons in ODIs before, out of contention.

"Yuvraj Singh bowled so well for us in so many games with four fielders inside the circle. Now, none of the teams can use part-time bowlers properly because of the fifth fielder. In conditions, which are batting-friendly, it is very hard for the captain to contain those runs," the Indian vice captain explained.

Asked about the morale of the bowlers after being hit for big scores, Kohli said it was necessary for bowlers to have confidence otherwise team's winning momentum goes for a toss.

"If bowlers don't have the confidence, it will be difficult for the captain to contain runs. Bowlers did face difficulty in this series due to the new rule. We have no choice but to play according to the rule," he said.

More often than not, Kohli said "it is bowlers who win the games for the team".

"Whichever team bowled well, has won the game, though they were tight," he added.

Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said the teams would get used to the new rule in the due course of time and would slowly get a hang of what is a good score.

"The more you play (with the new rules) you will get more trends and patterns to see what is a good target," said Haddin.

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Shweta Pandey

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