Salil Ankola questions India’s constant changes in fast bowling line-up

Former Indian bowler and selector Salil Ankola has raised concerns regarding regular changes to India’s fast bowling set-up. He believes the team’s think tank must look to groom two young bowlers, who can provide support to the senior bowlers.

India handed Anshul Kamboj his Test debut in the fourth Test match against England at Old Trafford but many experts thought that the Haryana pacer was not well prepared for the big stage.

Arshdeep Singh was also in line to make his debut but didn’t get any opportunities in any of the five Test matches.

Salil Ankola said on IANS, “You cannot just go on randomly picking people or couple of guys who are there in the season. Seniors are there, then you pick up two youngsters and of course, you need to chalk out who’s going to be the third and fourth bowlers.

Ankola reckons it is imperative for the management to help fast bowlers in managing their fitness and diet.

“See, the problem over here is, everybody gets down with injuries. It’s not that we don’t have options. We have a lot of options. But then somewhere they are going wrong over the fitness point of view. But we’ve got to nurture and take care of them, and teach them proper fitness and diet. Fast bowling is one thing, where they work harder twice than the normal players. There’s no option for that, as being fit is the most important thing.”

The former Indian seamer also questioned Mukesh Kumar’s absence from India’s Test team. Kumar has picked seven wickets in three Test matches at an average of 25.57.

“He’s picked up wickets, but then he doesn’t find a place in the Test side, which is a little surprising to me. He’s one of those fast medium pacers who can keep on bowling from one end and can be number three bowler for India. We’ve got to plan out the fast bowling situations very well for our country, ” he said.

India will be next in action in the upcoming Asia Cup.