We've 4-5 pacers who can constantly bowl at over 140-145 clicks - Mohammed Shami

Team India has asserted undeniable dominance in red-ball cricket over the last 48 months. The fast bowlers have been at the forefront of the recent dominance. With a perfect blend of youth and experience, the Indian pace bowling battery sports a formidable look. The process that eventually began in the 2000s is already paving the way for the development of the pace bowling resources in the country. Two academies - National Cricket Academy (NCA) and MRF Pace Foundation - have been breeding ground for young pace bowlers. 

In an exclusive interview with India News,  Mohammed Shami revealed the secret to India’s pace bowling success. The pacer believes that the current crop of Indian pacers can challenge any batting line-up. 

“The best thing about our bowling unit is that we have 4-5 pacers who can constantly bowl at over 140-145 clicks. You can find 1-2, but to find 4-5 is tough, and we have that. We force the opposition to think about what wickets they want to offer us. I don’t think we’ve had bowlers who could bowl at this pace earlier, we never had 4-5 of them coming in units. Earlier, teams used to plan easily against us but today they are forced to think otherwise, ” the pacer was quoted as saying to India News.

The rise of young fast bowlers such as Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, T Natarajan, and Deepak Chahar is encouraging. Shami went on to say that the senior fast bowlers always try to maintain a positive environment for the younger players.

“As seniors, our duty is to tell the youngsters to ask us things freely. Overall, the atmosphere and camaraderie between the juniors and seniors are amazing. The thing is, all of us will have to leave the game someday but it is important to think about what we are leaving behind, for the team and the youngsters. It’s important to make your country, captain and the board proud, ” Shami added. 

Needless to say, the pace bowlers will be key to India’s chances in the World Test Championship Final. 

[India News input]