The Indian pace attack which has been chosen for the much-awaited South Africa tour starting earlier next year is one of the best to be touring the nation, chairman of selectors MSK Prasad said on Thursday.
India will play three Tests, six ODIs and three T20Is against South Africa who have one of the most potent bowling attacks on paper with the likes of fit-again Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada in their ranks.
During the sidelines of the Ranji Trophy semi-final clash, talking to the reporters, Prasad said, “I can’t comment on the opposition bowling attack but from our perspective, we have one of the best bowling attacks that have toured to South Africa. It’s a wonderful bunch and more importantly, we are going to No.1 Test tag.”
He further added, “The confidence we have with so many victories in Test matches, though they have come at home still..going on a winning note is always good. So I am sure this is one of the most balanced teams that we have.”
Right-arm pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s ability to bowl with variety is the reason he was selected for the longest format, Prasad said, he said, “You see Umesh (Yadav) and (Mohammed) Shami might be hitting 140 but they still swing the ball. We also have Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) who can swing the ball either way. We have included Bumrah who has variety. Ishant (Sharma) is there always and Hardik (Pandya) adds that different dimension. So there are five different varieties of bowlers that we have picked.”
Depuy skipper Ajinkya Rahane has been going through a lean patch lately, but Prasad isn’t concerned about the same, he said, “We are not worried. When we go abroad, he is a key player. If you see his performances abroad, you should appreciate. He has got runs across the world. I am absolutely not worried. He is above these things and he has played enough number of years to tackle these situations.”
In the last five Test innings, Rahane has scored 1, 10, 2, 4 and 0 against lowly Sri Lanka. But on the overseas conditions, Jinx is a different beast averaging 53.44 in 24 Tests.
