Unlike past, India have many quality fast bowlers, says Ishant
LONDON: Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan were lone rangers during their best days but India now have a pool of eight to nine fast bowlers, which makes them a formidable Test outfit, feels Ishant Sharma.
With 238 wickets in 82 Test matches, Ishant is the most capped player in the longest version and along with Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami will pose a challenge to Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow when India face England in the five Test series, starting August 1.
“Everybody used to say India can’t produce fast bowlers. Now, we have eight to nine good fast bowlers anytime who can play Test cricket for India. We have a pretty good chance to win a series in England and Australia, because of the kind of attack we have,” Ishant told ‘Daily Telegraph’ in an interview.
Ishant played a massive role in India’s only Test victory during the 2014 series when he took 7 for 74 in the second innings at Lord’s.
“The weather is so nice (in England), you can bowl long spells, the conditions are helpful. The ball is nice, the wicket is favourable. There’s a lot of difference between bowling in England and India,” Ishant said.
BENCH STRENGTH
MUMBAI: Zaheer Khan believes India have sufficient bench strength to make up for the absence of injured pace bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah against England.
The selectors have named Bumrah, Ishant, Shami, Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur in the squad for the first three Tests.
“Bumrah is injured for the first few matches and there has been an injury concern to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, but I believe even after their injuries, the fivematch tournament is a long series,” Zaheer said.
“Whoever plays, like Umesh is doing well, Ishant is a senior bowler and has to take more lead (role) and Shami has a good record, their (Bhuvi and Bumrah’s) absence will be felt, but India’s bench strength is strong.”