Former cricketer-turned-commentator and cricket expert Aakash Chopra feels the duo of Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav is leading the fast bowling revolution for India while consistently bowling fast, which has also given a strong option to Virat Kohli to break threatening partnerships with some disciplined bowling, while hitting the right areas on the pitch.
“Both Shami and Umesh have consistently bowled over 140kmph. Since Indian conditions aren’t ideal for them to take five-wicket hauls, it’ll be a grave injustice to judge their efforts based on the numbers in the wickets column. Their presence is allowing India to play on fair Test match pitches,” Aakash Chopra said.
Chopra praised the duo for their good bowling performance that has not only restricted the opposition, but has also send in a wake-up call that fast bowlers from India are delivering even on spin-friendly wickets.
While also being comfortable with the art of reversing the ball, Shami and Yadav together have bagged 15 wickets in three Tests against England so far.
“While winning the toss is an advantage, it’s only half the job done, and England failed miserably in capitalizing the advantage of batting first on a good pitch. India would’ve been happy with a couple of wickets in the first session but they got four,” Chopra said.
It’s always important to win the toss in India to avoid the threat of spinners, who’ve always remained a vital force at home conditions – on the Day five of a Test.
Seemingly for the first time, India fielded two fast bowlers other than medium pacers at the home against visiting side England.
“Credit should be given to the Indian bowlers for their penetration and discipline in the opening hours of the Test,” Chopra added.
There was also a time when fast bowlers in India were not comfortable in the home conditions. Now, there’s a time when pacers break it through in the opening hours of the game to outclass their counterparts.
“Since conditions never complimented their skills, it was only fair to expect only discipline from the faster bowlers, or so we thought. Team strategies were stitched around spinners and dishing out spin-ready pitches was a norm,” Chopra concluded.