India's remarkable twin Test series victories in Australia were a testament to their formidable bowling attack. However, the recent 3-1 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia highlighted a significant gap in their fast-bowling resources. While Jasprit Bumrah delivered a stellar performance, claiming 32 wickets with exceptional figures, the remaining pacers struggled to consistently contribute.
Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy collectively managed 40 wickets, but their average and strike rate were considerably higher than Bumrah's. This disparity underscored the over-reliance on Bumrah and raised concerns about the depth and quality of India's fast-bowling bench.
The inexperience of the supporting cast further exacerbated the issue. While promising, these bowlers lacked the consistency and experience to consistently trouble the Australian batters. This lack of depth in the fast-bowling department could prove to be a significant challenge for India in future Test matches, especially in demanding overseas conditions.
Sunil Joshi, a former Indian spinner and a key figure in India's previous successful Australian tour, expressed optimism regarding the country's fast-bowling prospects. However, he emphasized the need for a left-arm pacer in the lineup to provide a different angle and challenge the opposition.
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"No, because we already have Troy Cooley, he's been in NCA, and is looking after the fast bowling pool. So, I don't think there should be any worry. But definitely, we did miss a left-arm seamer in that line-up.
"If a left-arm seamer would have been there, then there would have been a little bit of change in angles because most of the Australian, English or New Zealand batters, they are not very comfortable for the left-arm seamer because you're taking the ball away with a different angle.
"We just needed variety, but fortunately or unfortunately, both the bowlers Yash Dayal and Khaleel Ahmed were there, but they couldn't play, and that's unfortunate," said Joshi in an exclusive conversation with IANS.
Joshi recalled the time during the 2020/21 series, where India were fielding tons of injuries to players, and the ones who went as net bowlers on tour went on to play, perform, and win games. Apart from the performances on the recent tour, India left a lot to be desired in terms of tactics to bowl to Australian batters, field placements, and bowling changes.
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"It's all about showing character by each individual player who's on the tour to do well. For that, did we prepare very well? I think yes. Did we take responsibility? Yes. So, now from this tour, from the first Test match to the second and third matches, did we learn something from the opposition?
"I look at it that way because if we learned something from the opposition, then yes, we could have been better and more consistent. If you have not learned, you need to look to explore that and be disciplined to put that efforts into perspective and practice, then make a result out of it, and that's how I looked at this tour.
"Tactically, when it doesn't go well, then we'll be questioned. If it goes well, we say that okay, it's a good tactic used. We just need to look at what the opposition team did - like what are those tactical moves they did consistently well? Like, one can look at their fast bowlers or even at Nathan Lyon - he didn't do anything, he just kept his patience and his consistency. Did we do that? No, except Bumrah.
"Again, except in phases, we have done consistently - be it Nitish, Siraj, Prasidh or Harshit Rana. So finally, we need to look at ourselves did we give the best shot in terms of being disciplined? Did I play my role in the team very clearly? I'm not looking at it from an outsider point of view.
"I look at, 'okay, being in the dressing room, did I put my best effort? Did I put my top A game in being disciplined in these situations or sessions? Did I play my role very clearly or this and that should have been done?'. So those are the very small things, because if you break down all these things, you'll be able to understand," he elaborated.
Another development which left Joshi surprised on the tour of Australia was abrupt international retirement of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, after the third Test at the Gabba ended in a draw, a game he didn't feature in.
"I also felt very surprised by that because I don't know what transpired or prospered during or between the second and third Test matches. But it's again Ashwin, who has been very upfront in his decisions. So I'm not saying that it was a bad decision.
"I mean, we need to respect that, because he has been a modern legend of the game and there's no doubt about it. But again, what transpired for him to do that? So obviously, we'll have to know because it was unbelievable, and the board, selection committee, and team management should answer that," he concluded.
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