Five lessons India learnt from the ICC Champions Trophy 2013

Bhuvneshwar Kumar of India (L) celebrates with teammates after dismissing Kusal Perera of Sri Lanka (not pictured) during the ICC Champions Trophy Semi Final on June 20, 2013 in Cardiff, Wales. (Getty Images)

5. Swing Success

India’s pace bowling is not renowned in the world. We are not producing bowlers who bowl with a great deal of pace, and though that trend has changed at some level with the appearance of Shami Ahmed, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron, it is swing that gets you success at the international level. It is a precious commodity in all conditions and its value has increased all the more with the introduction of the two new balls.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was a sensation for India getting the all important early breakthroughs and never giving away anything. In conditions that offered some assistance, we saw Umesh Yadav cut down a yard of his pace to extract some swing and he was effective. We must ensure that we give this skill to our bowlers by developing helpful conditions at the domestic level may it be quality coaching or greener surfaces.