Left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma have taken the world by storm with their breathtaking bowling on batting friendly Indian wickets.
Though India lack bowlers who could touch 150 kmph unlike Australia, South Africa or Pakistan, former fast bowler Javagal Srinath believes the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led outfit has the best pace battery in the world.
Left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma have taken the world by storm with their breathtaking bowling on batting friendly Indian wickets. World champions Australia and high-flying England were made to bite the dust in the recently concluded Test series.
Srinath, who was in Mumbai for ‘Gatorade Pacers 2009’ talent hunt for fast bowlers at the PJ Hindu Gymkhana, said “It doesn’t matter whether you bowl at 145-plus. The ultimate thing is to take wickets and win matches.
“Zaheer and Ishant have being doing really well and I feel currently they are the best bowling unit in the world. They have performed in all conditions, whether it is the new ball or the old. They both have done exceptionally well - winning matches for India,” the 39-year-old said.
The 67-Test veteran had special praise for Zaheer, who bowled his heart out against Australia and England on pacer unfriendly tracks. “Well, Zaheer has been fantastic. He has been performing for the past 10 years. The county stint has really changed him and has turned him into a more mature cricketer. He has been leading the pace attack superbly.”
The Karnataka bowler was impressed with the way Delhi fast bowler Ishant has grown in a short time. “Ishant has been playing for three years now. He has grown so rapidly as a cricketer. It’s hard to imagine. The left-hand and right-hand combination of Zaheer and Ishant has done wonders for Indian cricket. The duo has a lot variety. Zaheer could have easily bowled 140-145kmph. But I think you should see the overall effectiveness.
It’s crucial to take the responsibility when it matters and Zaheer and Ishant have done just that. It’s all about getting wickets. Pace is just one of the aspects of fast bowling. Zaheer and Ishant are champion bowlers,” he added.
With the crucial tour of New Zealand coming up in March, the conditions there won’t just be difficult for batsmen but bowlers too. Srinath, however, is less concerned as he feels Zaheer and Ishant can use the conditions well. “It is important to understand the conditions there and both of them are quite experienced and good to handle the swinging conditions there.”
In the past India were called a batting paradise and hell for fast bowlers, but Srinath called it a “myth”. “The days of low and slow wickets have gone. At present, pitches even in India have been giving good assistance to fast bowlers. It’s a good sign. There is more and more cricket to be played, which makes life really difficult for them. You have IPL, one dayers and of course the Test matches.
“Now, India are competing to become the best team in the world. They should test their bench strength and make it stronger,” he added.
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