New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS): Former India left-arm fast-bowler Irfan Pathan believes that the current side has to focus on its variety in bowling line-up on different pitches, pointing out that the bowling attack has lacked heat in crucial matches in previous editions of the World Cups.
India are building up for the ODI World Cup, to be hosted by them in October and November, with a 3-0 series win over Sri Lanka and clinching the series against New Zealand at home. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj have emerged as mainstays in the pace bowling line-up.
"India need to focus on bowling. It is very important to plan what combination we should be playing and which bowlers should get a chance, depending on how they make the most of the pitches. The biggest problem here, is that the pitches are flat and our bowling is not up to the mark and that's what we have seen in the last two T20 World Cups against Pakistan as well as against England in the semi-finals. Our bowling definitely lacked heat."
"So, this is what I personally want to see going forward, that we have two bowlers who do not require the special pitches that we expect. They have their respective skills either by pace or the variation and I think that the team management and the selectors and everyone, even the captain Rohit Sharma, are going in the right direction," said Pathan on the 'Follow The Blues' show on Star Sports.
On Saturday in Raipur, Shami was at his vintage best, scything through the New Zealand batting line-up with seam movement to pick 3-18 in six overs and set the base for a comprehensive eight-wicket victory, giving India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
His set-up of Finn Allen in the opening over of Raipur's first international match was a treat to watch. Three outswingers were followed by a straight delivery before the nip-backer hit the stumps after evading the bat and brushing past the back pad.
"I was really impressed with Shami because of the way he set it up, the first wicket, the first over. Everything started from there itself because in the start we kept bowling then with a little bit of variation that was there in his wrists, getting the ball in was very effective. The three wickets that were taken by him, out of which he got two in his first spell and then dismissing Bracewell with a bouncer, who could have been a threat to team India," added Pathan.
With his straight seam position and bowling on good length consistently, Shami never gave any freebies to the Blackcaps batters, deceiving Daryl Mitchell to take a superb low catch and then bouncing out Michael Bracewell after switching to over-the-wicket angle to make the result of the match a foregone conclusion.
"Changing the angle against him according to the situation, he used the pitch well bowling a bouncer and took his wicket. So, each and every wicket was very crucial, his spell was very impressive and he needed a wicket desperately because his performance was not up to the mark, especially in the last seven matches. And after a very long time he got those three wickets which were very important and very impressive as well," concluded Pathan.