The current Indian pace attack is “one of the most lethal” in world cricket thinks India’s experienced off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav have been doing a stunning job as they bowled Bangladesh out for just 150 on the first day of the opening Test.
“I think Shami, Ishant and Umesh have been bowling well as a pack and if you add Bumrah to it over the last few months or a year in Test cricket, I think it’s one of the most lethal pace attacks going around in the world if not the best,” Ravichandran Ashwin said.
“And I am saying that as a disclaimer, I don’t want people judging me on that comment. But it’s right up there and one of the best bowling attacks I have seen in recent times,” he said. “Sometimes you feel that every spell they bowl, something is happening or they make it happen.”
Ashwin, however, spoke about his and Jadeja’s plans of bowling.
Read here: Mohammed Shami Has Plans for Every Batsman
“As a bowler, I personally never looked at it that way. It’s my job to pick up a wicket and try and capitalise if the pacers don’t pick a wicket then get a breakthrough,” he shared.
“Having said that, I am taking nothing away from the fast bowlers. They have been exceptional, especially if you look at Umesh over the last few years sine 2016 when the home season happened. He has always given us an early breakthrough. Ishant has been splendid and Shami has probably in his best rhythm in his entire career,” he told.
“We didn’t expect that. We thought they’ll bowl but they batted first which is very commendable on their part,” Ashwin added.
While he was asked that if Bangladesh got scared, he had a fitting reply.
“You are putting me in the spot and asking me questions that I shouldn’t be answering. Look I don’t think any international team is scared to come out and play a game. If your’re talking about No 10 and 11 moving away from the stumps all that happened with a lot of number 10s and 11s,” he said.
“You need to understand that a lot of players on the other side are inexperienced. I don’t know what the exact numbers are. I would say good cricket was played rather than being harsh on Bangladesh. It’s important to talk about the positives of Indian bowlers,” Ravichandan Ashwin concluded.
