Pirates of the Caribbean 2016: Is this India's best ever bowling attack in Tests?

Resurgent Ishant Sharma (and his man bun)

Ishant finally looks to have discovered his rhythm in the longer version of the game

Nine years of international cricket have shown us all the myriad mass of contradictions called Ishant Sharma. When he’s not picking fights with rival batsmen or earning the censure of umpires, the Delhi lad slips into the role of the menacing fast bowler with a wicked short ball.

Sharma’s most notable quality is his wrist position when delivering the ball at speeds of around 140 km/hour. However, he does have a tendency towards profligacy, especially when bowling to left-handers – an anomaly that he has rectified to some extent in his new bowling action.

These days, he hits the deck hard and can generate large amounts of reverse swing even with the ball being relatively new. He has toiled hard without much success in the ongoing series against the West Indies, but has been able to tighten up one end and create more opportunities for his fellow quicks to strike telling blows.

Given this quartet of pace bowlers in the side, perhaps Kohli can do a rethink and have all four play in the final Test? It’d mean a longer tail, but it’s definitely worth a shot.

The spin trio has a long way to go

Amit Mishra has blown hot and cold in the two games he’s played in this series

While off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has donned the mantle of leader of the tweak attack, getting reliable support in the same department seems to be a bit of a problem area.

Take Amit Mishra, for example. Once anointed as the successor to the legendary Anil Kumble, the Haryana leg-spinner has blown hot and cold in a rather interrupted international career. The kind of wickets that suit his style of bowling are usually on the quicker and bouncier side – one of the reasons for his success in Antigua.

But what happens if your variations and stock delivery are decoded by the batsmen? Debutant Roston Chase did this in Jamaica, and so have many others. Mishra then starts to be a tad erratic; trying too many things, bowling flatter and faster, and getting frustrated by the minute.

Given the Indian skipper’s penchant for leg spin, it is imperative that he hits his straps soon. All he needs to do is learn to be patient – the wickets will follow – and stick to his strengths.

Let’s move on to the third wheel of the spin armoury – Ravindra Jadeja. And once again, I am of the opinion that his presence is more of a luxury to this young side.

Ravindra Jadeja is more of a journeyman than a serious all-rounder

There is no doubt in my mind that Jadeja is a skilled cricketer, and that age is on his side. However, I have observed instances where his presence looks to be more of a journeyman cricketer than a serious all-rounder.

If left-arm spin is something that is to fetch you wickets and curtail the run scoring, then the mindset needs to be one of ruthlessness, not just containment. Plus, the Saurashtra southpaw seems to be totally disconnected from the proceedings. This could potentially backfire on the captain’s tactics.

Jadeja needs to bring in some more subtle variations in flight and pace. His arm-ball is an asset, and a round-arm action makes it even more lethal. But he has got to be able to focus better. Plus, he has to curtail bowling with a flat trajectory on slower tracks– it leaves him susceptible to heavy hitting.

Final summary

Is this still India’s best bowling attack in Tests? Only time will tell – the tracks at England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa may well prove to be an acid test for this motley bunch. The beginning is good; sustaining it will be the key.