Throughout the series, all over the newsboard, headlines, journal articles posted online by various intellects, media’s outspoken exegesis, albeit they all have governance in different regions and vicinity, there is one concern, one contraption, and one apparatus that remains common among all grounds of communication, under every umbrella, and within the boundaries of the gossip of neighborhood:
India is severly missing out the services of an authentic fast bowler in their bowling lineup.
Please keep in mind that this is certainly not any form of wallop being posted for the sake of fun and enjoyment, but a genuine discussion as to whether or not you (the cricket fans) think India is in dire straits and in need of acquiring a potential fast bowler, and your reasons as to why such a decision might possess strong credentials in the near future for Team India. After hearing almost every sammy and joe refer to the lack of pace in India’s bowling lineup (an example might be pointed out that in a recent edition of Silly Drive, it was duly noted that the lack of pace is what is causing the bowlers to deliver in their full and maximum speeds - rather than considering variations in pace), since they have no other option. Also, one other thing that is strictly being looked upon is the definition of fear, and how does it accumulates in the minds of great batsmen when they play against such an opposition. Now, you know as well as I do, that I personally have opposed the definition of “fear” in the past, since this term is almost non-existant in the world of real cricket, but the key word here is almost. I do agree with the analysts that point out the biggest advantage of having a fast bowler(s) in a team’s bowling lineup, and that is to keep the batsman’s score ‘in check’ (per se), and not allow them any room to move their arms around freely. There are tons and thousands of definition that you might come across, or have already thought-out in mind that you would like to discuss, and by all means, please bring it forward. That is the essence of this thread, as to whether or not you believe in this (what one might call a) phenomenan, or would you rather brush it aside (with other balloons of hot air) and label it as “non-existant”.
Re: Is India missing a 'genuine' pace bowler in their lineup?
Dhobi, When was the last time Indian squad contained a "Genuine Fast Bowler" or GFB ? My cricketing memory is never at par, perhaps are you suggesting after Sri Nath there was no more addition. I used to admire Sri's work in a futile team. He was quite different from rest of the Indian bowling line up. The next exciting thing to happen was the discovery of Irfan Pathan, but he is not considered GFB. Im not sure if Indians are keen about having a GFB.
Re: Is India missing a 'genuine' pace bowler in their lineup?
India always missed a GFB. Somehow they don't know how to keep its pace bowlers. Both Zaheer, and Pathan used to bowl in 130+ when they joined squad, They are down to 125 now..............
Same is the case with R.P Singh, it was so sad to have him bowl at 125, just few months back against SL he was bowling at 135...
There are some GFB, though as dumloti said, it doesn't seem to be on radar of selectors yet........... Since none of them got selected...
Re: Is India missing a 'genuine' pace bowler in their lineup?
I was (am still am) one of the many fans of Srinath, back in his heyday (now that I think back, I believe him and Rana can be compared together, as their thinking and mindset seem pretty close). Yes, you are right dumloti, if memory serves me correctly, there is still no prospect of genuine pace bowling, however, there are considerable rumors of Munaf Patel getting a warm introduction into the side shortly down the road. The analysts have judged him "the" pace bowler that they are looking for (perhaps someone will be able to shine more light on this subject).
On another note, I remember watching one of the clips (at one point in test matches, I forgot which one), where there are three (3) different clippings on the screen at one time, all of them showed the Indian bowlers and how they hold the ball in their hand during their run-up. Wasn't Irfan Pathan shown as holding the ball with his thumb almost across the seam, as oppose to being vertical?
Re: Is India missing a 'genuine' pace bowler in their lineup?
Well, one of the questions I have in mind is why the selectors' still haven't found any decent candidates? I mean, surely, there ought to be at least one individual they can pick who can consistently bowl around the 80's/90's?
Re: Is India missing a 'genuine' pace bowler in their lineup?
One interesting piece of info I got from that discussion program posted by ASN, was about the MRF academy. Maninder Singh and others roundly criticized that Academy, saying it is destroying the careers of good fast bowlers. The bigger complaint was that young guys with genuine speed enter the academy and then come out as medium pacers. I have no idea how correct this assessment is, but this should be worth checking.
Although, to be fair, academies et al are just an excuse. Pakistan never had any kind of proper academy (before Rashid Latif's) and we seem to be producing genuine fast bowlers pretty much regularly since 80's. Almost all of them have just a God-given talent, and I am not sure much credit could be given to any particular academy/club/coach for producing them.
Re: Is India missing a ‘genuine’ pace bowler in their lineup?
----------------cvabn--------------------
Them ^ and many others have been over-burdened with fame money, ad promotions, money management, scheduling etc, You can not sustain your good cricketing skills when your fortune overwhelms you.
Few years ago I was hoping by this time around Denis Lillee camp would
pour out new breed of fast bowlers a force to reckon with. Instaed we get
Lefty parade on GT road. lol
Re: Is India missing a ‘genuine’ pace bowler in their lineup?
------------cvabn-------------------
Here is an Indian perspective in question. Unless you wish to imply that only
‘foreingners’ on India soil can enjoy the fruits of the loom.
Re: Is India missing a 'genuine' pace bowler in their lineup?
When asked about that in a TV interview, Muhammad Asif downplayed his visit to the MRF academy by saying that he was there only for a week to ten days so not sure how much impact it had on his bowling. Basically, my thinking is that he was sent there, along with some others, just to make a political point that India and Pakistan can cooperate and share, rather to give any significant boost to the technical abilities of our younger fast bowlers. So it can't be show-cased as to how good or bad the academy actually is. Only those bowlers who spend a considerable time at the academy and come out should be taken as a product of the academy. By and large, the Indian commentators are showing their disappointment with the academy, not only for not producing any good fast bowlers, but also for ruining the careers of several promising young fast bowlers who actually joined the academy.
Re: Is India missing a 'genuine' pace bowler in their lineup?
First of all what exactly is a genuine fast bowler. I dont think every team will get a 150 kph + bowler and I dont think that should be a big deal for any team. A couple of good bowlers who can touch 140 + are good enough. Line, length and swing along with some livley pace and India would be all set.
Irfan Pathan hits 135 + every once in a blue moon and then bowls the pedistrian 120's, I mean during one of the games his average speed was in the 120's. You're not going to challenge batsmen on docile pitches with that kind of pace. I also remember Zaheer Khan to be considerably quicker last time when India came to Pakistan. He also seems to have slowed down quite a bit so I dont know if it's that India cant produce fast bowlers, or they just dont want to have genuine quicks in the side. Yes, they can go for some runs as edges fly for boundries and a top edge can result in a six as well but they also keep the batsmen at their toes and create oppurtunties for the other bowlers.
Re: Is India missing a 'genuine' pace bowler in their lineup?
Your title to the post should be a statement and not a question!!!!
Aejaz
Aejaz bhai, I was initially opting for the above option, but then I realized that some folks simply like to see a bowler maintain his decent line and length at a considerably average speed, and thus, restrain their mind from going that 'extra' distance. One of the main mysteries I was trying to solve, but have failed to come to a conclusion at this point in time, is why some people always try and place a burden of blame on fast bowlers, implying (the fact) they are the first ones in the bowling lineup to supply a bucket full of runs, but then when we have bowlers who bowl their norms at a medium and adequate pace (who also get whacked around the park just like the fast bowlers), they hardly get criticized at in return. What gives?
It seems like Shoaib Akhtar is a solitary entity who gets attacked from all four corners of the rock-hard walls of critical analysts, and albeit I am not defending his manners in which he comes full-force towards the opposition, I am simply and merely inferring that he is not the only selective individual who gets shown the doors of boundaries and sixes every time he walks in the field. There are plenty more in the cricket world that have seen those extreme knocks, hence, a leeway should be given.
