Cricket

Mohammed Shami's exceptional performance in the second Test against Australia in Perth in December 2018 remains a testament to his lethal bowling prowess in pace-friendly conditions. His remarkable 6/56, not only his best bowling figures, but also the fourth best by an Indian bowler in Australia at the time, played a pivotal role in India's eventual Test series triumph.Shami's absence of wickets in the first innings was more than compensated by his devastating spell in the second. With India opting for a four-pronged pace attack, Shami emerged as the standout performer, ripping through Australia's lower middle-order. His hat-trick attempt, dismissed by Tim Paine and Aaron Finch, showcased his relentless aggression.Shami's success stemmed from his ability to exploit the Perth pitch's pace and bounce. His consistent pace and movement off the seam troubled the Australian batsmen, forcing them into errors. Targeting the stumps with precision, Shami's high-paced deliveries proved too potent for the opposition.Despite Shami's heroics, India's lack of a balanced bowling attack ultimately cost them the match. The inability to chase down the 287-run target resulted in a 146-run defeat. However, Shami's performance underlined his status as one of India's premier pace bowlers, particularly on overseas tours.Shami's 6/56 in Perth showcased his ability to adapt to challenging conditions and deliver match-winning performances. His skill in extracting the best from pace-friendly pitches, combined with his relentless pace and accuracy, makes him a formidable force in the international arena.

The mention of Test cricket in Australia evokes vivid memories of a unique and immersive experience. From the lush outfields dotted with seagulls and pigeons to the large stadiums with long boundaries, from fielders catching the ball with their fingers pointing to the sky to the inverted score that reads 3/20 rather than 20/3, from the soothing voice of Richie Benaud and the child-like excitement of Tony Greig on the Channel Nine telecast to the sound of the ball thudding into the hard surface and hitting the bat, the experiences were all new and captivating, leaving a deep impression that enriched one's love for the traditional format.A prominent part of this visceral experience was the pace and bounce on view. It was relayed even before a ball was bowled simply by how far back the wicketkeeper and the slip catchers would position themselves. When the ball was delivered, it often whirred past the batter's head, and tales of yore of how Jeff Thomson's bumper once reached the boundary on one bounce would be passed on from old-timers.Skill, strength, and stamina were essential for success in Australia. India's own trajectory over the past two decades Down Under illustrates that. From being competitive in 2003-04 and 2007-08 to suffering a rout in 2011-12 to finally celebrating series victories in 2018-19 and 2020-21, the pace attacks that India has had for these tours go a fair way towards making sense of the results.In 2018-19, the foundation of India's historic triumph lay in its pace attack going as far as outbowling its Australian counterpart, no mean feat considering the individual and collective brilliance of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins. Jasprit Bumrah, on his maiden Test tour of Australia, finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the series with 21 scalps at an unrivalled strike rate of 44.90 while Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma played excellent supporting roles with 16 and 11 wickets respectively. In contrast, it was off-spinner Nathan Lyon who led the way for the Aussies with 21 wickets. The honours were shared almost evenly among the pace trio — Cummins took 14 and Starc and Hazlewood 13 each — but they weren't quite at their best to find a way past Cheteshwar Pujara and company. During that tour, Bumrah, Shami, and Ishant were at the peak of their physical capabilities too, which meant India could rely on them to maintain their standards over the course of a four-Test series. Both Bumrah and Shami lasted the entire stretch while Ishant, by now a much-improved bowler, played all but one Test.Two years later, in the Covid-affected Australian summer of 2020-21, India's series victory had a miraculous touch to it given the number of injuries and absentees, but in all the drama, twists, and turns that each of the four matches offered, the depth of India's pace resources came to the fore. Even in the fourth and final Test, when the make-up of India's attack had no resemblance to the one that started the series, Shardul Thakur managed seven wickets across the two innings to go with Mohammed Siraj, in only his third Test, claiming his first five-wicket haul in the second innings. Ishant was unavailable for the entire series while Shami had gone home after suffering a fracture on his right forearm in the first Test. Bumrah, too, had to miss the storied, series-winning Gabba Test after 11 scalps in the first three matches.As India embarks on another Test tour of Australia next month, the build-up to the five-Test series — the first of this duration between these teams since 1991-92 — has understandably revolved around the pace department. With an eye on Australia, skipper Rohit Sharma said before the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru last week that the team is looking at creating a pool of eight or nine fast-bowling options. "We want to create a bench strength where tomorrow if anything happens to anyone, we are not worried, and we don't want to be too heavily reliant on a few individuals. That's not the right thing to do. We want to look at the future at the same time, try and make sure that we get the right guys in as well," he said at a press conference. "We want to create guys where even if there are injuries, we have got someone to quickly step in and take that role. It's not about three or four options. When it comes to batting, there are a lot of options. We want to create the same with the bowlers as well."The intention of having a big pool is prudent, but non-negotiable to India's plans will be Bumrah yet again. Gaining legitimacy to be considered India's greatest pacer with every passing performance, he is clearly the most complete fast bowler in the world right now. Whether it's the first over of a Test match or the final over of a T20I, in Mumbai or Manchester, amid glowing sunshine or under overcast skies, Bumrah is the bowler for all seasons and occasions.Joining the leader of the attack on that flight to Australia will be Siraj and Akash Deep. Siraj doesn't always hit his straps, but he has strengthened his credentials over the past four years to be pardoned a few blips. And though Akash, 27, is a rookie in terms of international cricket, the attributes he has exhibited in his three Test appearances suggest he has the tools to evolve into a key member of the pace unit. With Shami facing a race against time to be fit after a setback in his injury rehab, however, it is the identity of the remaining two, or perhaps even three, pacers in the squad that is shrouded in suspense at the moment.By the selectors including Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Mayank Yadav in the travelling reserves for the ongoing Tests versus New Zealand, it can be surmised that they are the leading contenders to make the cut. Having been picked as the fast men in the India-A squad, Mukesh Kumar, Yash Dayal, Khaleel Ahmed, and Navdeep Saini would assume they will also be part of the conversation. Only Saini, who played two Tests on the last tour, has experience of conditions in Australia among this lot.While the pacers below Bumrah, Siraj, and Akash in the pecking order may not have been needed in a shorter series, it is pertinent to reiterate that there will be five Tests packed into a little less than six weeks with a two-day warm-up game also sandwiched between the first two Tests. Cracking series awaits. Even if the injuries that some of India's players suffered in 2020-21 are discounted as a one-off, it is seldom possible for three pacers to go through an entire series of this intensity without encountering problems with either form or fitness. If they somehow can, it may go a long way towards helping India pull off a hat-trick of series wins in Australia. Even if not, another cracking series that adds to the bank of indelible memories of Test cricket in Australia is hopefully in the offing.

Indian pace spearhead Mohammad Shami has hailed young pace sensation Mayank Yadav as the future of Indian bowling, highlighting the depth and talent within the team's pace attack.Shami, who has recently declared himself fully fit and ready to bowl, believes that youngsters like Yadav and Harshit Rana possess the potential to carry forward the legacy of Indian pace bowling. The 34-year-old, who played the 2023 ODI World Cup with an injury, was instrumental in India's runner-up finish, taking 24 wickets at an astonishing average of 10.70."The best thing that has happened for Indian cricket is that our pace bowling strength has really gone up," Shami said at an event organized by Eugenix Hair Sciences in Gurugram. "Earlier, we used to have only a few bowlers who used to bowl 140-145 km/h, but now even those bowlers who are on the bench are bowling above 145. One of the names that have really impressed me in pace bowling is Mayank Yadav. He is really impressive, he is someone who will carry the baton of Indian pace bowling in the future."Shami's praise for Yadav is a testament to the young pacer's impressive performances in recent times. Yadav, who made his international debut in 2022, has quickly established himself as a reliable option for the Indian team, showcasing his ability to swing the ball both ways and generate good pace.Shami's return to full fitness is a major boost for the Indian team, especially with the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia on the horizon. The veteran pacer has been working diligently on his recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru after undergoing surgery in February in London."I have worked as a unit since 2014," Shami said. "India never had three bowlers at a time who could bowl over 140kph. Now we have some on the bench who can bowl 145kph. This generation knows how to fight back, and we've shown that overseas."Shami's return to action will provide the Indian team with a much-needed boost, as they look to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from Australia. The pacer's experience and skill will be invaluable in the challenging conditions of Australia, where the ball often swings and seams.

Mayank Yadav, the 21-year-old Delhi speedster, made an eagerly-anticipated international debut for India in the opening T20 International against Bangladesh. Despite his raw pace, Yadav understands that consistency is crucial for success at the international level.Yadav's journey to the Indian team has been marked by "ups and downs." After an impressive IPL season with Lucknow Super Giants, where he bowled the 10 fastest deliveries, he suffered an abdominal strain that sidelined him for several months.During his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Yadav focused on improving his line and length. "My pace is always at the back of my mind, but throughout my IPL journey, I've learned that consistency is key in this format, especially at the international level," he said.In his debut match, Yadav showcased his ability to adapt to different conditions. While he relied on extreme pace during the IPL, he used slower deliveries effectively on a slow and low wicket in Dhaka.Yadav credited Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Suryakumar Yadav for their support. "His (Gambhir's) advice was just to focus on my strengths and abilities, and to do what I do best," Yadav said. "He (Suryakumar) gives you freedom. When I was taking the run-up, he was telling me 'do what you feel is best'."Yadav's impressive debut has raised expectations for his future in Indian cricket. With his raw pace and newfound consistency, he has the potential to become a valuable asset for the team.

Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, has established himself as a formidable force in the cricketing world. His exceptional ability to execute lethal yorkers and dismantle batting lineups has earned him the reputation as a master craftsman.Bumrah's rise to prominence has been marked by his unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of perfection. Former India cricketer Parthiv Patel, who has witnessed Bumrah's evolution firsthand, attributes his success to his exceptional game understanding and ability to deliver under pressure.In the ongoing Test match against Bangladesh, Bumrah has showcased his dominance, claiming four wickets in the first innings. His impressive bowling figures of 4/50 in 11 overs have further cemented his status as a world-class bowler.Bumrah's impact extends beyond the Test format. He played a pivotal role in India's recent T20 World Cup triumph, demonstrating his versatility and adaptability. Patel highlights Bumrah's mastery of various deliveries, including inswingers, outswingers, yorkers, and slower balls."He has worked really hard. He works on a particular delivery for a long time at the nets," Patel said. "Delivering at the right time, under pressure, and in any situation is what makes him a unique bowler in the world."Bumrah's relentless pursuit of excellence has led him to achieve significant milestones. He recently became the 10th Indian bowler to take 400 wickets in international cricket, a testament to his consistency and longevity.In Tests, Bumrah has claimed 163 wickets in 37 matches at an average of 20.49, including 10 five-wicket hauls. In ODIs, he has taken 149 wickets in 89 matches at an average of 23.55, with two five-wicket hauls. In T20Is, he has taken 89 wickets in 70 matches at an average of 17.74.Bumrah's exceptional skills and unwavering determination have made him an indispensable asset to the Indian cricket team. His ability to strike at crucial moments and dismantle batting lineups has earned him the respect and admiration of both fans and opponents alike.

Bangladesh's bowling landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with two young quicks, Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana, leading the charge. After their impressive performance against Pakistan, they have continued to impress in the ongoing Test series against India.Mahmud, with his lively pace and exceptional seam position, has emerged as a wicket-taking threat. On the opening day of the first Test in Chennai, he claimed the prized scalps of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant. Rana, on the other hand, has used his raw pace to unsettle the Indian batters, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, whom he forced into an edge with a 148 kmph delivery.This shift towards pace bowling in Bangladesh is a deliberate strategy, according to former pacer Alamgir Kabir, who mentors both Mahmud and Rana. "We have been trying to find genuine fast bowlers for some time now," he said. "If you want to be a successful cricketing nation, you need world-class fast bowlers."Kabir credits Bangladesh's robust grassroots system for the emergence of these talented pacers. "We have a strong system where coaches and talent spotters are committed to their work," he said. "There are many talented kids playing tape-ball and tennis ball cricket who need the right encouragement."Former India batter Sridharan Sriram, who has coached Bangladesh in the past, cautioned that the young pacers need to sustain their performance. "They are talented, but the challenge is to grow into the role," he said. "Hopefully, they will have the right support."Head coach Chandika Hathurusingha believes that the pace bowlers bring a "fear factor" to the opposition. "When a bowler comes up to 150 kmph, it challenges your reaction time and decision making," he said.The rise of Mahmud, Rana, and other young pacers is gradually changing the perception of Bangladesh's bowling unit. They are adding a new dimension to the team, complementing the traditional strength of left-arm spinners.

India's decision to field three pacers in the opening Test against Bangladesh at the traditionally spin-friendly MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai has raised eyebrows. However, both teams' skippers and former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik believe the pitch will offer something for the pacers to exploit.Bangladesh's rookie pacer Hasan Mahmud justified this belief with a three-wicket burst that reduced India to 34 for 3 inside 10 overs. The overcast skies, red-soil pitch, and moist track further supported the decision to bowl first with a pace-heavy attack.India's last home Test with three pacers was also against Bangladesh in 2019. The move has been successful in the past, with Australia securing convincing 10-wicket victories in two matches where India fielded a trio of fast bowlers.The pitch report by Karthik highlighted the bounce and turn the red soil pitch would offer, with the spinners expected to come into play as the game progresses. The residual moisture underneath the pitch also gave the pacers an advantage at the start.Both teams' playing elevens reflect the belief in the pitch's suitability for pace bowling. India has included Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj, while Bangladesh has opted for Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana.India's decision to bat first after losing the toss is a rare occurrence, with it happening only nine times previously on home soil. Out of those eight occasions, six resulted in draws.

Australia's pace-bowling depth, a cornerstone of their success in recent years, is facing a stern test with a string of injuries and absentees during their limited-overs tour of the UK.Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, and Riley Meredith have all been ruled out with various side strains, while Josh Hazlewood's arrival was delayed due to a minor calf strain. Hazlewood's fitness is paramount, as he is a key figure in Australia's plans for the upcoming five-Test series against India.Coach Andrew McDonald emphasized that managing the workload of their fast bowlers is crucial, with the India series being the primary focus. "A lot of our priorities will be geared around that," he said.While the injured bowlers in England are not immediate contenders for Test spots, there are also concerns over the availability of red-ball reserves. Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson are facing injury setbacks, while Scott Boland and Michael Neser have also nursed injuries in pre-season.Sean Abbott, who impressed with his sharp bowling in Cardiff, could be considered depending on the progress of others. Mitchell Starc will be managed carefully through the ODI series, while Pat Cummins has remained at home for strength and conditioning work.Australia's situation mirrors that of other nations, such as India and England, who are also grappling with managing the workload of their multi-format fast bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah's workload is carefully monitored, while Mohammed Shami's recovery from an ankle injury may require cautious management ahead of the Australia tour. England faces a similar challenge with Mark Wood, who has suffered another elbow problem.Despite their resilience, Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood have played a grueling schedule in recent seasons, raising concerns about their ability to sustain their performances throughout the India series. Cummins has hinted that things may be different this summer, with the importance of all-rounders Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh being highlighted.The current injuries have been a setback for the England tour but are not yet an immediate concern for the India series. However, Australia's much-vaunted bowling depth may face a defining summer as they navigate the challenges of managing their fast bowlers.

Australia's pace bowling woes continue as Xavier Bartlett joins the injury list with a side strain sustained during the first T20I against England in Southampton. Bartlett's injury, if confirmed to end his tour, would add to the absences of Spencer Johnson (side) and Nathan Ellis (hamstring).Bartlett's impressive performance in the match, claiming the wicket of Jordan Cox and extracting swing on a cold night, was cut short by his injury. The selectors now face the prospect of bringing in Riley Meredith, who was retained for the England T20 matches after Ellis's injury, for the second T20I in Cardiff on Friday. Allrounders Aaron Hardie and Cooper Connolly are also options for the side.The selectors have yet to confirm who will replace Ellis in the one-day squad. New South Wales left-armer Ben Dwarshuis is set to join the team ahead of the ODIs, but his role is currently limited to providing cover.Bartlett's injury is a setback for the Australian team, as he had not been included in the ODI squad despite his impressive performances against West Indies earlier this year. The side injury could also impact his availability for the start of the domestic season with Queensland, with the Marsh Cup beginning later this month and the Sheffield Shield starting in early October.Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood made a strong return to action in Southampton, taking 2 for 32 from his four overs, including the crucial wicket of Liam Livingstone. Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will be part of the one-day series, while Pat Cummins is missing the entire tour to focus on strength and conditioning ahead of the home summer.