India’s Test team has had a strong pace attack for years. Stars like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Umesh Yadav made India a global force. They helped win matches anywhere. But these players are aging. A big question now looms: Is India’s supply of Test-ready fast bowlers running dry? The domestic circuit and recent selections suggest trouble ahead.
Ranji Trophy: Not Helping Fast Bowlers
The Ranji Trophy should produce Test-ready pacers. But recent seasons show a worrying trend. Spinners and older medium-pacers dominate the wicket-takers list.
- 2024 Season: Nine of the top 15 wicket-takers were left-arm spinners. One was an off-spinner. The five medium-pacers included three over 32 years old.
- 2023 Season: Seven left-arm spinners and two off-spinners led the list. Of the six medium-pacers, two were over 32.
This is a problem. Veterans like Gaurav Yadav (32), D. Dhopla (35), Mohit Avasthi (32) in 2023, and Murasingh (32) and Thakur (33) in 2024 are too old for long-term Test roles. Their experience is good, but they lack the speed needed for Tests. Domestic pitches often favor spin from day one. This stops fast bowlers from growing.
Struggles in International Cricket
India has tried new pacers in Tests since 2020. Names include Harshit Rana, Akashdeep, Mukesh, Prasidh Krishna, T. Natarajan, Navdeep Saini, and Mohammed Siraj. But only Siraj has become a regular, playing 37 Tests. Others have struggled.
- Akashdeep has seven Tests, Krishna has six. The rest have just one to four caps.
- Natarajan and Saini seem out of the picture. Mukesh may also struggle to return.
This isn’t about lack of talent. The problem is the system. Without strong domestic pacers, selectors pick based on limited data or T20 performances.
The Selection Problem
The real issue is how selectors choose players. The Ranji Trophy lacks fast bowlers with consistent success. So, selectors rely on “potential” rather than proven stats. A good IPL season or T20 series can lead to a Test call-up. But T20 skills don’t always work in Tests. This approach leads to inconsistent results.
A Broken System
India’s domestic system isn’t helping pacers. Ranji Trophy pitches are often extreme. Some are spin-friendly, limiting pacers’ overs. Others are green, giving easy wickets without building skills. This doesn’t teach pacers key Test qualities like stamina, setting up batsmen, or bowling with an old ball. As a result, young pacers are either inconsistent or get injured often.
The Future Challenge
As Bumrah and Shami near the end of their careers, India faces a crisis. The domestic structure must change. It needs to produce pacers with the skills and mindset for Test cricket. Without this, India’s Test bowling future looks uncertain. Can the system create a new generation of fast bowlers? The answer will shape India’s Test success.
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