Limited-overs cricket makes you a better bowler: Imran Tahir

New Delhi: Relishing the challenges of Twenty20 cricket ahead of IPL-8, Delhi Daredevils spinner Imran Tahir believes that the limited-overs game may be hard on the bowlers but it helps them perfect their craft. 

The South African leg-spinner, who joined Daredevils in the 2014 season, wants to make an impact as a valuable spinner for his team. "It's hard, T20 cricket and also the ODIs where five fielders are inside the inner circle. But spinners play a key role in T20. They have a lot to give in the limited-overs game and it makes them better bowlers. The modern-day game helps us perfect our cricket more than what it was before," Tahir said in an open session organised by Delhi Daredevils. 

"Batsmen attack you more in T20 cricket, so there are more chances for a bowler and also there are more challenges, which we like. You need to go there with a big heart and that's all that matters," he added. The Pakistan-born player, who has represented South Africa in 16 Tests and 38 ODIs, is ready to adapt to 'changing times' as a spinner.
"The art of spin is very much alive and you see that in Test cricket. But I still think even in Test cricket you cannot be a classical spinner, say what you were 20 years ago. Cricket has obviously changed.

"It's not that you give the flight and batsmen are going to defend. You flight the ball and it goes for a six. Your pace is important for all the formats. For me bowling now is harder than what it was called 'classical spin'," he said. Tahir acknowledges the quality of Indian batsmen against spin bowling and stresses the role of variety in a spinners life. "There are a lot of left-arm spinners from India who have had a lot success, so for me all the spinners have a big role to play in cricket.