Having seen Bangladesh seamers work up pace north of 145Ks in the opening game, I am distressed that India might be the only test playing nation in the world without a bowler who can bowl consistently in the healthy 140s. So, first, we certainly don’t seem to be developing the talent that we have, and second, and perhaps more disappointedly, we seem to have mastered a system that destroys genuine fast bowling talent at first sight!
Most Indian fast bowlers that hurled 145Ks at the start of their careers have steadily and surely come down to early 130Ks, without a single one who has reversed the trend and actually developed and increased his pace (except perhaps Kumble who retired as a genuine Indian fast bowling option). When it seems that one of them is trying, they go down with a severe case of ‘Obsessive Compulsive No-Ball Disorder’ or get injured in the process and then go missing in action until they are seen two years later at the IPL auction.
It can’t be the lack of resources, because say what you may about BCCI, the one thing they are absolutely awesome at is making money. If that money is not being put to good use in terms of developing talent at home, then BCCI is simply failing its fundamental duties as the custodian of the game of Cricket in India. (In addition to being criminal since they are supposedly a non-profit organization!).
This World Cup will prove beyond doubt that India’s only weak link is its non-penetrative fast bowling attack. Most games start with a healthy leaking of runs by our opening fast bowlers, some fiery stares at the batsmen with the occasional ‘L for loser’ signs, and just general chaos until spinners can come to stop the bleeding. Lets face it, our average spinners are more bankable than our first-choice fast bowlers and, when push comes to shove, Dhoni has not been shy to show his confidence in the slower bowlers.
On a relatively good ‘Bowling’ day, Bangladesh can get a score in excess of 280 (without being bowled out), and God forbid, a bad day towards the business end of this tournament could easily mean a comfortable victory for the opposition, and the end of World Cup dreams for India.
This is a flaw that threatens to completely erase the massive advantage that India has by virtue of its power-packed and perhaps the best-in-the-business batting line up! One wonders, if only we had a world-class bowling attack, India could just drunk-drive through this World Cup?
This should be used as a wake-up call by administrators to put together a long-term vision for Fast Bowlers in India. It is not going to produce instant results, mind you, but along with commitment to the issue and the required investment of resources, we also have to be patient. The BCCI think-tank (if such a thing exists) needs to find the best bowling brains locally and in the world and create a well-nourished training program that finds, conserves and develops genuine fast bowling talent in India.
With Dhoni-Kirsten & Co. having tackled most issues already to take the side to unprecedented heights, there will never be a better time for India to strive to become the home for world-class fast bowling, and in the process create a lasting reign as undisputed World Champions.
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