It’s not about pace, it’s about variations: Venkatesh Prasad on pacers

IPL was a successful chapter for a variety of pacers. While some relied on express pace, others worked their way around using variations and were equally effective.

Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad thinks that it is not about pace but also about which bowler manages to read the conditions and uses the variations well. Prasad cited the example of RCB pacer Harshal Patel. Patel is not express but had a fantastic IPL as he finished the season with 32 wickets, earning the purple cap.

"Bumrah is one of the best in terms of economy. But it is not just about pace. It is about variations and reading situations. Harshal Patel was one of the best bowlers of the IPL last season even though he is not the quickest, but he is able to read the game," said Prasad during Red Bull Cricket Room on Clubhouse celebrating 10 years of Red Bull Campus Cricket.

The former Karnataka pacer went onto add that some of the most express bowlers in the world have developed variations and are thus being effective.

"There are a few South Africa bowlers also, Nortje and Rabada are also doing well. And there's Jofra Archer who bowls 150-plus but still bowls variations," he added.