Former India head coach Ravi Shastri didn't mince words while assessing the Indian bowling performance on Day 2 of the ongoing fourth Test against England in Manchester. Shastri, known for his forthright opinions, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the performance of the pace attack, singling out Jasprit Bumrah, Anshul Kamboj, and Mohammed Siraj for criticism.
Shastri, who was on commentary duty, didn't hold back his disappointment, suggesting that the bowlers could expect some "harsh words" from head coach Gautam Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel in the dressing room. He highlighted the stark contrast in quality between Bumrah and the other pacers, echoing concerns he voiced earlier in the year during the Headingley Test against England. Back then, he lauded Bumrah's stellar performance but worried about the lack of support from Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, and Prasidh Krishna, emphasizing the risk of overburdening Bumrah.
The former India all-rounder's criticism comes in the wake of England's strong showing with the bat, scoring at a rate of 5.5 runs per over. Shastri's concerns aren't new. He has previously expressed his worries about the workload management of key bowlers like Bumrah, even questioning the decision to rest him during a crucial Test match earlier in the series. He argued that Bumrah, being the best fast bowler in the world, should be playing in important games, especially after having had a week's rest.
The pressure is now on Gambhir and Morkel to address the shortcomings in the bowling department. Morkel's appointment as the bowling coach was met with positive reactions, with many recalling Gambhir's past admiration for the South African pacer. An old video resurfaced where Gambhir expressed his desire to have Morkel in his IPL team, calling him the "toughest bowler" he had faced. The two have a history of working together, having previously collaborated at the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.
However, a report surfaced earlier this year about Gambhir reprimanding Morkel for arriving late to a practice session during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, highlighting Gambhir's strict approach to discipline. It remains to be seen how the dynamic between Gambhir and Morkel will influence the Indian team's performance, but Shastri's assessment suggests that there is work to be done to get the bowling unit firing on all cylinders.
The Indian team will be hoping that the "harsh words," if delivered, will translate into improved performance on the field, especially with the series still hanging in the balance. While individual brilliance has shone through at times, a consistent and collective effort from the entire bowling unit is crucial for India to maintain its dominance and achieve its goals.
