As a medium-pacer, Paras Mhambrey may have had a brief a spell in international cricket, but he certainly can speak authoritatively and eloquently on the art of fast bowling and the purveyors of pace.
The former Mumbai and India quickie sheds light on some leading fast bowlers of the country during a conversation with Haresh Pandya.
Are you happy with the kind of fast or medium-pace bowlers that India has today?
Yes, we have a good crop of fast bowlers right now. We have talented pace bowlers like S Sreesanth and Munaf Patel, for instance, who are ably assisted by Zaheer Khan and Ajit Agarkar. I think we have a good attack with a right kind of base, too. The younger generation, the backup, is also pretty impressive with guys like V R V Singh and Ranadeep Bose around. This, I feel, is the right time to groom them. Bose, in particular, has really been doing well. Give him an opportunity and let him have a feel of the highest level of cricket, and then let us judge which are the areas he needs to work on. I really feel we have a good number of talented pace bowlers at present.
Why is it that most young Indian fast bowlers begin well after being given opportunities at the right time, but after a while they start performing poorly and eventually fade into oblivion?
First of all, we have to be clear about them not doing well in what terms after an impressive beginning, as you say. Every individual, whatever his main discipline or specialisation, has got a role. And if his captain and coach feel he is doing well, I do not think there is any problem. Just picking up a few wickets is not all; you cannot say he has done well or doing well. I think someone has to play a supporting role as well. And if a particular fast bowler is given that role, and if he is playing it consistently well, I think he is really doing well. It is a sort of flexibility that you need to have to adept to the different situations. If Munaf Patel or someone else is doing precisely this, we should feel happy with the way he is helping the team.
Unfortunately, not too many have this kind of outlook. For them, figures are all that matter when it comes to the selection of a player
Yeah, I know that. But they would be better off remembering that cricket is a team sport and every individual has a certain role to play. The number of runs or the number of wickets they take, or do not take, do not necessarily reflect the important role they may have played for their side.
Doesn't it affect a player's performance when he is not sure of his place in the side or when he knows that it is in danger?
Yes, psychologically every individual gets affected in such a situation. You need to give assurance to the seemingly struggling player that he is there not just for a while but will be given enough opportunities to prove his worth and perform. When you know you are going to get about, say, five One-Day Internationals, or five innings, or a couple of Tests, you can prepare yourself accordingly. You may not score too many runs or take plenty of wickets in each and every innings. But out of five innings or so you are bound to be successful in at least two or three of them. This kind of assurance is necessary. It helps him sort out his problems and prove his ability.
Could you try and compare Zaheer Khan, S Sreesanth, Irfan Pathan and Munaf Patel?
No, I do not want to compare them with one another. Each one of them is different in his own way. And they have been doing well also.
Okay. What do you think about Zaheer?
He has made a strong comeback. It is good to see him bowl well and at his best again. He is fitter, more determined and more mature now.
What about Sreesanth?
He is shaping really well. I think he needs to keep working on his ability. He has got a good pace. He has got a good seam position. So he needs to do that -- back it up -- again and again.
What is wrong with Irfan Pathan?
Irfan is a quality bowler. You need to work with him, sit with him and talk to him. His problem right now is more psychological than physical. Obviously, when you are not doing well, not picking wickets, you start thinking and self-analysing. Someone needs to sit with Irfan and discuss certain things with him. When you have the talent, you cannot, you should not, lose it all of a sudden. It is just that Irfan appears to be a little disturbed mentally; he is probably not sure what he needs to do. You have to work with him, help him iron out his problems and give him opportunities to prove himself again.
How do you rate Munaf?
Munaf has been doing quite well. I am sure he has been playing a certain role in the team. We tend to discuss a lot about sheer pace. I think a lot has been said about pace. But mere express pace is not all. Effectiveness is also very important. If you are capable of bowling accurately at a speed of 130 or 135, you really do not need sheer pace. It is the effectiveness, let me reiterate and emphasise, that is very, very important. To me, Munaf bowling like this and playing a certain role is effectiveness. So he is just fine. You need to give these youngsters enough opportunities. If required, you should sit with them and discuss certain things. More importantly, give them the confidence.
But there is a growing feeling that Munaf tends to bowl faster at the cost of accuracy and effectiveness
I do not think so. He has been bowling to the best of his ability; and bowling really well. He is aware of his strength. He needs to work on his strength. He can bowl at 150 miles and spray the ball all over but cannot be that effective. So you need to be accurate. This is very important because pitches in the subcontinent are difficult to bowl on, especially when you are a fast bowler. They are more batsmen-friendly and the margin of error is quite less. You cannot vary on these wickets as far as length is concerned. So you need to have your strength, you should be aware of it and you should work on it.
