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[Doink]

This thread is to discuss the Indian fast bowling scenario, its particitants and its hopefuls. Lets begin with the hopefuls- VRV & Munaf. I think the selectors were wrong in picking VRV for the 1st test against England. He has just come out of injury & it will take some time before he hits top gear again. Munaf is the man in form and should have been opening the bowling with Pathan in Nagpur.

[DomainK]

I agree. I want to see Munaf in the second test. We have some good pace bowlers, but we need someone real fast and Munaf looks like the right bowler.

[rineet]

Its about time we groomed new fast bowlers like Munaf Patel, VRV Singh, Abid Nabi and Yo. Mahesh, so that we will never have to depend on worst bowlers like Agarkar and Zaheer Khan. I hope Zaheer never gets to play for India again.

[Doink]

Zaheer clearly has an attitude problem, especially when it comes to fitness. People who arent prepared to work hard have no place in the team. Nehra belongs to the same club. Really sad. They were doing so well in WC2003-were picking up wkts and were bowling at good pace. And look at them now. But really, its their loss. India now have Pathan, RP, Sreesunth. We may not have a world class attack right now but we do have a bunch which is striving to get there.

[Aussie-Yank]

Hey Doink, I do not know much about India's Grass roots for cricketers, but does the system have much encouragement for Fast bowling?

Taking Australia for example, there is our Cricket Academy which will come in and help groom an up and coming Fast bowler. Also our environment and pitch condition are suited to Fast Bowling.

Would that be the biggest problem for India to produce good fast bowlers consistantly?

[greg]

What has happened to Pathan's pace?

When he first started in Test cricket he was a high 80's mph man today he has struggled to get over 82 mph.Does his pace depend entirely on his rhythm?

[Doink]

There is support for fast bowling but not whole-hearted. They have been working on the pitches to make them more seamer friendly but in general they are still more condusive to spinners. Things are getting better but not at a very good 'pace'! We have this MRF pace academy to groom fast bowlers (headed by none other than Dennis Lillee himself). India need the fast bowling culture of Pakistan. It will take some time but the Indian Brett Lee isnt very faraway!

[Doink]

Pathan's pace is quite equal to Venkatesh Prasads! He is getting wkts but I wont say he has improved over the past year. Yep, i think he's more of a rhythm bowler. He's still 21 though so we can hope that someday he will be averaging atleast 85+mph.

[Doink]

Yomahesh & Abu Nachim had a top speed of 86mph in the U-19 WC and both bowled with great control. If they can build on that we have 2 very interesting prospects. BTW, Nehra and Balaji are in Adelaide, working on their action and fitness. Avishkar Salvi has fully recovered from the injury that prevented him from touring Australia and stands a good chance of making it to the India-A squad which is due to tour AUS.

[Doink]

Quickest delivery by an Indian bowler? 94mph by Ashish Nehra at WC2003! Nehra swings it nicely and at good pace too. When he is fit he averages around 85mph. But he's very injury prone. Is expected to be back by April-end. Dunno what Chappells gonna do wit h so many left-armers!