Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has questioned Indian selectors for their selection of India’s fast bowlers. Butt questioned the fact that why the selectors don’t give chances to pacers who have speed in their repertoire.
While there is denying the fact that India’s fast bowling has taken giant strides in the last seven years but still there are a handful of bowlers who can consistently clock more than 145 kmph.
On the other hand, Pakistan continues to produce fast bowlers who have the skills to breathe down the neck of the batsmen with extra pace.
India has bowlers like Umran Malik, Kuldeep Sen, Yash Dayal, and Shivam Mavi who all can bowl quick but they are far from a finished product at the international level.
Malik made an impressive ODI debut as he scalped two wickets against New Zealand in the first ODI at Auckland.
Butt said on his YouTube channel: “India seriously have to think about it – whether they want to bring in their fast bowlers and use them or stick to the medium pacers. Why don’t you give chances to pacers who have speed and let them gain experience?
“When you are playing with that tried and tested 130 kph bowlers, it looks like nothing is changing.”
Former Pakistan opener feels there are no teeth in India’s fast bowling unit, which can be a threat to New Zealand in the ongoing ODI series.
“There is no venom in Team India’s bowling that can threaten New Zealand. Umran Malik bowled with pace. The runs he conceded were because of his speed, but he took wickets. Except for the last 2-3 overs, he was not as expensive as the others. The rest of the bowling looks pretty average on a good batting track. On a good pitch, the strength of India’s bowling is very limited.
Butt feels Indian batters will need to put up an above-par score for them to win the match, otherwise, they will struggle.
“If batters score 375-370, then India wins the game. But if they score between 280 and 310-320, then things become difficult. They need to think seriously on all those lines.”
India and New Zealand will take on each other in the third ODI at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on Wednesday.
