Focus On Developing Fast Bowlers For India As Duleep Trophy Begins

As senior Indian cricketers gear up for the Duleep Trophy starting September 5, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is focusing on nurturing fast bowlers. India’s current pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj, is world-class but faces challenges such as Bumrah’s frequent rest periods, Shami’s fitness concerns, and Siraj’s inconsistent performance. To address these issues, the BCCI has selected over 20 fast bowlers across the four Duleep Trophy squads, including several uncapped players and those with limited international experience.

Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun highlighted the need to develop these bowlers for future challenges, such as the Australian tour. He emphasized that nurturing bowlers who can consistently bowl at 140-150 kph, as seen in the IPL, is crucial. Arun stressed the importance of acclimating bowlers to red-ball cricket, which demands different skills and resilience on unresponsive pitches. He pointed out that exposure to first-class cricket is essential for developing the guile required for such conditions.

Paras Mhambrey, another former India bowling coach, argued that IPL performances should not be the sole criterion for evaluating bowlers. He cited Umran Malik’s case as an example of a bowler whose T20 success did not translate into red-ball prowess, underscoring the need for comprehensive assessment in longer formats.