Mumbai, July 12: India’s bowling coach Eric Simmons has commended pacer Ishant Sharma, the highest wicket-taker of the recently concluded Test series against hosts West Indies that India won 1-0.
Making a comeback into the side, the lanky pacer was named Man-of-the-Series for claiming 22 wickets in the three Tests that were played. And this in the absence of bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan.
Ishant and his pace partner against WI, Praveen Kumar, were offered plenty of assistance from the Caribbean wickets. They will now no doubt look forward to the prospect of the bowler-friendly conditions in England.
Sharma’s ability to extract bounce and Kumar’s inherent swing are likely to trouble the opposition once again. And with Zaheer Khan back in the side, India’s pace attack will have the added edge and experience.
While speaking to a leading cricket website, India's bowling coach Eric Simmons discussed India’s bowling line-up at length.
Simmons is of the opinion that Sharma could be the perfect answer to England fast bowler Chris Tremlett. "If he bowls with the control he has got now, Ishant can be a real handful in England. He has obviously got the height. His ability to get bounce out of a wicket from a fuller length is crucial. He is getting more confident now that his control is back. The no-balls are disappearing. He's going to start finding the pace that he has. To try and bowl quicker when you haven't got confidence is not going to work," he was quoted as saying.
While observing that Praveen would be a great asset to the team, the former South African fast bowler said, “In the past Praveen has tried too many things. In Test cricket just having the variation is a strength in itself, because while you keep pitching it and nipping it away, the batsman knows you can also swing it back. How long before you bowl the inswinger? You can bowl one in three overs, and it's all you have to do.”
Speaking about Zaheer, who missed the WI series due to health concerns, he said, “We have tried to build a family unit. It's great for me to see the bowlers build this spirit together. They have to hunt together as a group, and to have someone like Zaheer is crucial to lead that group. Again he's got incredible ability technically, and you learn from people like that.”
India’s senior spin bowler and a key member of the team, Harbhajan Singh also drew high praise from the coach. He said, "He has the ability to read the situation and decide whether it's important to attack or to hold. Particularly with a four-man attack, it's hard work for seamers. Someone should hold down one end - a seamer or spinner. Sometimes Harbhajan has to do it. I would like him to have the freedom to make that decision. If it means a line outside off will be more attacking, or if it means bowling a straighter line because holding down is important so Zaheer can pick up a wicket from the other end, we trust Harbhajan with making that decision."
Simmons’ assessment of Munaf Patel was more than complimentary. “He has natural bounce and he is actually a natural athlete. When he runs in at pace and does something, he is quicker than what most people think. He has the ability to bowl different lengths. He is in control of his emotions. He is a mature guy. He says little things to me at times that make me go, "Wow, I hadn't seen that." It could be about a batsman or about one of our bowlers. I have hopefully influenced some guys, and I have learnt a lot from Munaf as well. The way he embarks on a game, the way he thinks about it,” he admitted.
India’s bowling coach has his task cut out for him as the world’s No. 1 Test team, made up of seniors and youngsters alike, revs up for a demanding England tour.
