Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad, the two former Indian fast bowlers, have admonished the current pacers of team India
to keep their heels hot and not to rest on their laurels as they
believe that the continuation in play leads to consistency in
performance.
The duo aired this opinion following their team’s nerve-crushing defeat in the 4-Test npower series against England.
The Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side has lost all four matches of the series and resultantly, forfeited the No.1 spot on the International Cricket Council ‘s Test rankings.
Srinath and Venkatesh think that the team’s demise was due to the fitness problems and alienation from the game of their top pacers like Zaheer Khan and S Sreesanth, as both these guys had been staying away from the longest format since January 2011.
Before this series, Zaheer and Sreesanth bowled last against South Africa, before the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. The selectors rested the duo during the team’s tour to West Indies.
The ex-bowlers argue that this lay-off period tarnished the bowling stamina of the pacers and they could not keep their heads high against the mighty Poms.
Talking to the media today, Prasad said, “Fast bowlers need to keep bowling, whether it is first-class or Test cricket. There's no point in resting them exceedingly. The key is to remain fit, keep bowling, and keep up that urge.”
Srinath added, “Guys like Sreesanth and Ishant need to bowl at least 1200 overs a year with at least 500 or 600 of them in county cricket in England, Australia and other first-class matches. There aren't any technical flaws in them either. They must want to keep bowling which is the only way to play at the highest level for 10-12 years.”
Both the former cricketers have also recommended the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to find out and nurture the young bowlers as there is an abundant cricketing talent in the country.
Srinath played 67 Tests and 229 ODIs for Team India before retiring in 2002, while Prasad served his country with 33 Tests and 161 ODI matches in the seven-year span of his International career.
The duo aired this opinion following their team’s nerve-crushing defeat in the 4-Test npower series against England.
The Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side has lost all four matches of the series and resultantly, forfeited the No.1 spot on the International Cricket Council ‘s Test rankings.
Srinath and Venkatesh think that the team’s demise was due to the fitness problems and alienation from the game of their top pacers like Zaheer Khan and S Sreesanth, as both these guys had been staying away from the longest format since January 2011.
Before this series, Zaheer and Sreesanth bowled last against South Africa, before the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. The selectors rested the duo during the team’s tour to West Indies.
The ex-bowlers argue that this lay-off period tarnished the bowling stamina of the pacers and they could not keep their heads high against the mighty Poms.
Talking to the media today, Prasad said, “Fast bowlers need to keep bowling, whether it is first-class or Test cricket. There's no point in resting them exceedingly. The key is to remain fit, keep bowling, and keep up that urge.”
Srinath added, “Guys like Sreesanth and Ishant need to bowl at least 1200 overs a year with at least 500 or 600 of them in county cricket in England, Australia and other first-class matches. There aren't any technical flaws in them either. They must want to keep bowling which is the only way to play at the highest level for 10-12 years.”
Both the former cricketers have also recommended the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to find out and nurture the young bowlers as there is an abundant cricketing talent in the country.
Srinath played 67 Tests and 229 ODIs for Team India before retiring in 2002, while Prasad served his country with 33 Tests and 161 ODI matches in the seven-year span of his International career.
0 comments:
Post a Comment