Uproar

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has some of the best pace bowlers in his armoury who could make full use of the swinging conditions in England, the host of the Twenty20 World Cup that begins from June 6.

However, the pace battery is not settled as yet. The spearhead
Zaheer Khan is still recovering from the shoulder injury he suffered in the Indian Premier League and might miss a few games initially. Delhi bowler Ishant Sharma was not in the best of form in IPL.

The onus therefore will be on the two bowlers from Uttar Pradesh – Rudra Pratap Singh and Praveen Kumar.

Both have had a good run in the IPL. In fact, their performance, for Deccan Chargers and Royal Challengers Bangalore respectively, was one of the factors in both these teams reaching the IPL finals. Singh was the highest wicket taker of the tournament with 23 wickets from 16 matches. He was also one of the key players in India’s victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa having scalped 12 wickets off seven matches. Known for swinging the ball both ways, the left-handed bowler can surprise the batsmen with his pace.

On the other hand, Praveen Kumar’s bowling style is completely different from his teammate. He has the ability to swing the ball both ways, something that will keep the batsmen guessing.

“RP Singh was in superb form in the IPL and can be handy in English conditions. He generates good pace as well while Pravin Kumar is a naturally talented swing bowler,” says Uttar Pradesh coach Gyanendra Pandey.

Both have been in devastating form on the domestic circuit. In fact, the pair has helped their team to reach the finals of Ranji Trophy on two occasions.

“Both bowlers are from UP and open the bowling for the team. They compliment each other really well and will be useful to the team,” Pandey added.

Former India skipper and former chairman of selection committee Dilip Vengsarkar agreed that the two bowlers have a crucial role to play at the moment. “Both are crucial campaigners for the team. I have been watching RP from the U-15 days when he was in National Cricket Academy. Kumar too is a talented bowler. He is very useful on seamer-friendly wickets. The way he bowled in Australia was brilliant. Both had good outing in IPL and will be crucial in the world cup. Having played for the same team in Ranji Trophy, they will be helpful to the team,” he said.

Vengsarkar also said Kumar should justify his all-rounder tag. “His batting is underrated. He is a good batsman to come lower down the order,” he added.

Lalchand Rajput, who was the coach-cum-manager of the T20 world cup winning squad, is all praise of RP Singh. “The way he bowled in the IPL will certainly give him great confidence. He will carry that to England. He is dangerous on helpful wickets and having played in England earlier, he knows the conditions well. Pravin Kumar is a natural swing bowler and will come good if given a chance,” he said.