Cricket

Mohammed Shami, one of India's premier fast bowlers, has consistently proven his worth across all formats. Despite initial setbacks, Shami has emerged as an indispensable asset, particularly in Test and ODI cricket.In the 2023 ODI World Cup, Shami's absence from the starting lineup raised concerns. However, upon his inclusion following Hardik Pandya's injury, he unleashed a devastating performance, becoming the tournament's leading wicket-taker.Reflecting on his remarkable comeback, Shami humorously remarked at the CEAT Cricket Awards, "I'm habitual to it, I think." He recalled similar situations in 2015, 2019, and 2023, where he seized opportunities after being initially sidelined."When I was given a chance, the performances, thanks to god, they never thought of dropping me again," Shami said. "You can call it hard work, but I'm always ready for a chance. Only when you're ready can you prove yourself."Shami's unwavering determination and hunger for success were evident in his comments. Despite facing setbacks, he remains focused on seizing every opportunity.India coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma couldn't help but laugh at Shami's playful jab at them. Their reactions spoke volumes about the respect and admiration they hold for the fast bowler.Shami has been sidelined since the World Cup due to injury but is expected to return for India's Test series against Bangladesh starting on September 19. His presence will undoubtedly bolster India's bowling attack and enhance their chances of success.

Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, has established himself as one of the most formidable fast bowlers in international cricket. Known for his lethal pace, pinpoint accuracy, and exceptional yorker-bowling ability, Bumrah has played a pivotal role in India's recent successes.Bumrah's unique bowling action, characterized by a high-arm release and a slinging motion, generates immense pace and bounce. This, coupled with his ability to swing the ball both ways, makes him a nightmare for batsmen. His death bowling skills are particularly impressive, as he excels at containing runs and taking crucial wickets in the final overs.In a recent interview, Bumrah revealed his mindset when facing tough batsmen. Instead of focusing on the opposition, he emphasizes self-belief and execution. "I tell myself that if I do my job well, there's nobody in the world who can stop me," he said.Bumrah's impact on the Indian team has been undeniable. He played a key role in India's T20 World Cup triumph in 2022, taking 15 wickets at an astonishing economy rate of 4.17. He was named Player of the Tournament for his exceptional performance.Despite occasional injury setbacks, Bumrah remains a vital cog in India's plans, especially in major tournaments. His ability to bowl with pace, accuracy, and control makes him a formidable weapon for the Indian team.Bumrah's achievements extend beyond the international arena. He is the first bowler in history to be ranked Number One in the ICC Rankings in all three formats of the game. This testament to his versatility and dominance across the board.

Pakistan's former captain, Rashid Latif, has expressed concern over the decline in the country's fast-bowling stocks. He lamented that pacers who once started at 145kmph have now slowed down to 130kmph.Latif's comments came after Pakistan's humiliating ten-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test at Rawalpindi. The hosts opted for an all-pace attack but failed to contain the visitors on a docile pitch. Bangladesh amassed 565 runs, while Pakistan declared at 448/6.In the second innings, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan shared seven wickets to dismiss Pakistan for a mere 146. Bangladesh chased down the target of 30 runs in just 6.3 overs, securing their first-ever Test win over Pakistan.Latif attributed the defeat to the lack of pace in Pakistan's bowling attack. "Our top fast bowlers no longer bowl at breakneck pace," he said. "Shaheen (Afridi), Naseem (Shah), and Khurram (Shahzad) started off with pace of 145. They all have come down to 130."He also criticized the Pakistan support staff for failing to keep the pacers in prime shape. "Our trainers and physios are to blame," he said. "Look at Jofra Archer, Jasprit Bumrah, and Pat Cummins. They all came back from injuries without losing any pace."Latif further pointed out that Bangladesh's spinners played a crucial role in their victory. "We no longer have quality spinners like we used to," he said. "Instead, we relied on pace, but the tactics backfired."He also criticized Pakistan's decision to declare too early in their first innings. "They should have aimed for 550," he said. "Falling 100 runs short ultimately made the difference."Latif concluded by praising Bangladesh for their tactical acumen. "They read the conditions well and outplayed Pakistan," he said. "They wore down the Pakistani bowlers and then capitalized."

Olly Stone, the 30-year-old left-arm fast bowler, is set to make his fourth Test appearance for England at Lord's this week, replacing the injured Mark Wood. Stone has pledged to push his limits and match Wood's blistering speeds, who clocked 97mph/156kph against West Indies last month.Stone's career has been plagued by injuries, including a hamstring issue that sidelined him for most of last season. However, he has made a strong comeback this summer, featuring in 28 matches across formats for Nottinghamshire and London Spirit.In the absence of Wood, Stone will be tasked with providing England with short, sharp bursts of pace. "It's been pretty frightening… the way he's come in and bowled this summer is very exciting," Stone said of Wood. "Hopefully, I can go out there and try to touch his speeds. He's obviously up there with the fastest in the world so I'm not sure if I'll match it - but I'll give it a good shot."Stone made his Test debut at Lord's in 2019, but underwent back surgery in 2021. He credits the procedure with his return to fitness and his unwavering determination to play Test cricket. "It's the best thing I ever went in for," he said. "Thankfully - touch wood - so far, I've had no recurrences with that… I'll keep coming back for Test cricket until my body tells me otherwise."Stone's selection is a testament to England's focus on attributes over averages. National selector Luke Wright explained that Sam Cook would have been called up if Chris Woakes had been injured, but Stone's height and left-arm angle gave him the edge over Cook.England's XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's:1. Ben Duckett2. Dan Lawrence3. Ollie Pope (capt)4. Joe Root5. Harry Brook6. Jamie Smith (wk)7. Chris Woakes8. Gus Atkinson9. Matthew Potts10. Olly Stone11. Shoaib Bashir

Jasprit Bumrah's Captaincy Prospects: Dinesh Karthik Raises ConcernsFormer Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has expressed reservations about the possibility of Jasprit Bumrah becoming the captain of the Indian national cricket team. While acknowledging Bumrah's leadership qualities, Karthik emphasized the importance of preserving his fitness and avoiding the potential risks associated with the added responsibility of captaincy.Karthik highlighted the physical demands of fast bowling and the need to protect Bumrah for crucial matches. He described Bumrah as a "Kohinoor diamond" for Indian cricket, whose well-being must be carefully managed. "Being a fast bowler, especially at Bumrah's level, it is so important to protect him and play him in important matches," Karthik said.He further explained that burdening Bumrah with captaincy could increase the risk of injury, potentially jeopardizing his availability for important matches. "To burden him with captaincy and then see him end up playing a lot of series and injuring himself would be a huge problem," Karthik added.Karthik's comments come amidst discussions about Bumrah's potential as India's captain following Rohit Sharma's retirement from the T20 format. However, the T20I captaincy was ultimately handed to Suryakumar Yadav, Bumrah's teammate from the Mumbai Indians.Bumrah has previously led India as a stand-in captain during the one-off Test against England at Edgbaston in 2022 and also captained India to a 2-0 series victory in a three-match T20I series against Ireland last year. Despite his success in these limited captaincy stints, Karthik's concerns underscore the importance of carefully managing Bumrah's workload to maximize his effectiveness and longevity in international cricket.

Jhye Richardson, the Australian fast bowler, has returned to the run-up that brought him success in Test cricket, hoping to put his injury woes behind him. Richardson has been plagued by hamstring injuries since his Test debut in 2019, suffering four setbacks since June 2022.Despite his injury struggles, Richardson has been retained on the national contract list, and selectors see him as a potential leader of the Test attack in the future. With the current frontline quicks all over 30, Richardson's fitness is crucial for Australia's long-term plans.Richardson has made a successful return to competitive cricket in the Top End T20 series in Darwin, playing for the Perth Scorchers. He has reverted to his traditional run-up, which sees him sprinting in at speeds of close to 22.5kph from earlier in his run-up."I've played two games [in Darwin], the body has been good," Richardson said. "It's obviously a different intensity playing competitive cricket again."Richardson believes that his previous run-up, which involved reaching top speed closer to the crease, may have contributed to his hamstring injuries. He is now focused on building resilience and avoiding problem areas."I'm trying to avoid problem areas and build that resilience that I haven't had in the past couple of years," Richardson said. "I have put a lot of work into my hamstring, so everyone is comfortable with the fact I can go back to what has worked previously."Richardson's return to fitness is a significant boost for Australia, who are facing a transition in their Test team. With all three frontline quicks over 30, Richardson is the most credentialed man to one day lead the attack."I think [it is important to be fit then], but we are looking pretty far into the future there," he said. "Taking it one step at a time, getting the body right and making sure everything is right on my end, and not worrying about what is happening externally."

Fanie de Villiers, a late bloomer in international cricket, made a significant impact on the South African team after the country's return to the global stage. Despite being 29 when he made his Test debut, de Villiers quickly established himself as a formidable fast bowler, taking 85 wickets in just 18 Tests.His most memorable performance came in the second Test against Australia in January 1994, where he claimed 10 wickets to lead South Africa to a historic five-run victory at Sydney. De Villiers's success was not limited to his ability to generate pace; he also possessed exceptional control, variations, and a deadly off-cutter.Growing up in the apartheid era, de Villiers faced challenges in pursuing his cricketing dreams. However, he credits the knowledge and skills he acquired from senior professionals and international coaches for his eventual success. He emphasizes the importance of specialized swing bowling coaches to develop young pacers.De Villiers's expertise in death bowling was another key factor in his success. He developed his signature yorkers through extensive practice, aiming at a Coke tin placed on a yorker length. He also studied the angles and footwork necessary to execute effective swing bowling.Among the current generation of fast bowlers, de Villiers admires Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh for their swing bowling abilities. He believes that swing bowling is a science that should be taught and practiced diligently.De Villiers's journey to international cricket was not without its obstacles. He had to balance his cricketing aspirations with a full-time job as a teacher. However, his determination and hard work paid off when he was selected for the South African team in 1992.Despite missing the 1992 World Cup due to a broken foot, de Villiers remained focused on his goal. He trained relentlessly and eventually made his Test debut in 1994. His impact was immediate, as he played a pivotal role in South Africa's historic victory over Australia.De Villiers's advice to young bowlers is to embrace the challenges and seek guidance from experienced coaches. He believes that a solid system and a focus on fundamentals are essential for success in fast bowling.

England's Test attack has received a significant boost with the emergence of two fast bowlers, Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson. Their performances in the recent series against West Indies have showcased their potential to excel in overseas conditions where medium-pace seam and swing tend to be less effective.Wood, a 34-year-old veteran, has consistently bowled at speeds exceeding 90mph, making him one of the fastest bowlers in the world. In the second Test, he delivered three of the fastest overs ever recorded by an Englishman. Despite a slow start in the series, Wood's focus on skill rather than outcome, guided by James Anderson's mentorship, led to a remarkable spell of 5 for 9 in six overs, setting England on course for a 10-wicket victory.Atkinson, on the other hand, has impressed with his pace and ability to move the ball, claiming 22 wickets at an average of 16.22 in the series. He took 12 wickets on debut at Lord's, bowling alongside Anderson, and has since taken on the responsibility of taking the new ball in Anderson's absence. Atkinson credits Anderson's guidance for boosting his confidence and helping him settle into his new role.Both Wood and Atkinson have made technical adjustments to improve their performances. Wood has extended his run-up, while Atkinson has focused on consistency at the crease. Atkinson aims to increase his pace over longer spells, while Wood is determined to maintain his high speeds over back-to-back appearances.Despite their impressive pace, both bowlers recognize their primary role in the team is to create opportunities and make things happen. Wood emphasizes his ability to swing the Dukes ball at pace, while Atkinson is willing to adapt his bowling style to the captain's instructions.The emergence of Wood and Atkinson has given England a formidable bowling attack that can challenge opponents in a variety of conditions. Their ability to bowl consistently at high speeds and move the ball makes them a potent threat, and they will be key to England's success in upcoming overseas tours.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is poised for a comeback after a prolonged injury layoff. Shami last donned the Indian jersey in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, where he emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker despite battling an ankle injury.Since then, Shami has been sidelined for the entire 2023 season, missing major events like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the T20 World Cup, which India won in his absence. However, the pacer has recently resumed training and is determined to regain full fitness.In a recent interview, Shami's close friend and fellow pacer Umesh Kumar revealed the secret behind Shami's exceptional bowling speed: his love for mutton. "Shami can tolerate everything, but he cannot survive without mutton," Kumar said. "If he doesn't eat 1kg mutton daily, his bowling speed will reduce by up to 15 kmph."Meanwhile, India's chief selector Ajit Agarkar expressed optimism that Shami will recover in time for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19. "Shami has started to bowl, which is a good sign," Agarkar said. "September 19 is the first Test, and that was always the goal."Agarkar also emphasized the importance of monitoring first-class cricket to identify potential additions to the Test team. "We will need some depth," he said. "Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj have been around for a while, but there will be some conversation around it."Shami's return to the Indian team will be a significant boost for the side, especially with the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh and the ICC World Test Championship final on the horizon. The pacer's experience and wicket-taking ability will be crucial for India's success in these high-stakes matches.