Indian cricket and the fast bowler conundrum

Currently India’s only genuine quickie, it is perplexing as to why India cannot produce more fast bowlers like Ishant Sharma

Being a country of a billion cricket crazy people, it is amazing India is not able to produce a genuine fast bowler who can consistently bowl at speeds of 145 kmph and higher. This conundrum is quickly becoming a disease that is crippling the national team’s performances, as has been evident in the England tour. The ones who start quick surprisingly seem to lose their way and ultimately their pace.

Take the case of Munaf Patel for instance. He started his national team career on a very positive note before injuries began to hit him and he had to reduce his speed, ultimately compromising on quality fast bowling. Even Zaheer Khan was renowned for his fast yorkers at speeds of 140 kmph +, but injuries have cut down his pace over the years. Ishant Sharma is currently India’s only genuine fast bowler at 153 kmph. He was someone who never even touched 140+ before the tour of Australia, but the motivation from the first foreign tour had a tremendous impact and instilled fresh energy in him.

Some cricket authors say that due to lack of sporting pitches in the country, Indian youngsters are not able to become genuine quickies. But how true is that? Look at our neighbouring country, Pakistan who also have flat pitches but are renowned for their fast bowlers. In Pakistan, if you bowl below 135 kmph, you are not a fast bowler at all and are rejected instantly. In India though, the standards are low and a low benchmark of 135 kmph+ is the mark of a fast bowler. The need of the hour for the country is introspection. Whenever the country’s genuine fast bowlers go to the National Cricket Academy or MRF Pace foundation, somehow their speed is reduced considerably.

The cricket authorities in India are backing Jaydev Unatkad, who can barely touch 135kmph, while they should be backing Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron. I understand the case of Umesh’s omission, for he has plenty of pace but lacks proper line and length and needs to be nurtured more. Varun Aaron though is the complete package and he surely has the makings of becoming one of the best fast bowlers in the world.

Edited by Zico