I was very disappointed with the bowling in England: S Sreesanth

He has seen both the ups and downs in a Test series that India played in England. He featured in the squad that last defeated England in their den in 2007 under Rahul Dravid’s captaincy and four years later, he was a member of the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side which was walloped 4-0 by the hosts. For former Indian speedster S Sreesanth, the performance of the Indian pacers in the recently concluded series in England was overhyped.

The Indian bowling unit was praised for its show in the five-match series, picking up 85 wickets, even as the batsmen struggled to deliver. Only once India conceded more than 400 runs in an innings while on two out of seven occasions, England declared their innings. Ishant Sharma, who completed 250 Test wickets on the tour, was the pick of the Indian bowlers with 18 scalps, six short of series topper James Anderson.

The Indian pace battery comprising Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah besides Sharma was praised for its show in the series which India lost 1-4. All-rounder Hardik Pandya also chipped in with one five-wicket haul.

However, 35-year-old Sreesanth felt that the Indian fast bowlers could have done even better. Recalling India’s winning show in the 2007 series, the former Kerala cricketer told Mumbai Mirror: “I did follow the England series. I must say I was very disappointed with the bowling. The last series win was in 2007 which I was part of. I, RP Singh and Zaheer Khan were there. We saved a Test in Lord’s.”

Sreesanth not content with Ishant Sharma’s show

Sreesanth, who has been banned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India for his alleged role in a spot-fixing scandal in the Indian Premier League, particularly felt that Sharma underperformed in the series and should have ended with 25 wickets and not 18.

“I am not trying to say the 2007 attack was better. But Ishant has been the most experienced bowler and he should have finished with 25 wickets, not 18. I am not saying five wickets in an innings. But five wickets in a Test was needed, like two-plus three wickets in each innings,” he said.

Sreesanth played 27 Tests for India between 2006 and 2011, picking up 87 wickets, including three five-wicket hauls.

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