Shoaib Akhtar expresses his views on the Indian fast bowling in South Africa

In the ongoing India – South Africa series, the Indian pacers have managed to put up a sensational display. The series may have been lost but the fast bowling department has already been a huge positive for the team. However, Pakistani legend Shoaib Akhtar feels that the Indian pace unit still has a long way to go.

The former Pakistani pacer was renowned for his bowling speed as he holds the record for bowling the fastest delivery of all time in international cricket. He stated the Indian bowling performance on the South African tour is a healthy sign for the country.

Long way to go before India can call itself a good fast bowling nation

The pace bowling department comprising the likes of Shami-Bhuvneshwar-Bumrah-Ishant has created an enigma in South Africa. The visitors managed to take 20 wickets in both the games. However, Akhtar feels that India still has a long way to go before proving themselves as a good fast bowling nation.

“Five years ago, I thought Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami will be the ones to lead India’s pace department on overseas tours. But that did not happen with Aaron having fitness issues, Yadav being good in patches and erratic other times, like Wahab Riaz,” Akhtar said.

“The thinking that Kohli and the team management seem to have, they will only get better. India have always been known for their batting but nowadays you are seeing emergence of fast bowlers too but still I would say long way to go,” he was quoted as saying by DNA.

Losing in South Africa may be a blessing in disguise

India closely lost both games despite being in a winning position at one point. They have already conceded the series with one match to go. While Akhtar admitted that India didn’t play well, he pointed out that the batsmen had failed to do their job.

“Yes, they did not play well. The batsmen should have applied themselves better. It is, may be, a result of a bad combination. Not taking wickets at the right time, not scoring enough runs. I am quite impressed with Hardik Pandya as well. It is just the batsmen who did not apply themselves on pitches that were not so tough to bat on,” the Rawalpindi express added.

However, Akhtar sounded optimistic as he thinks that the Indian team will reflect on their mistakes and come back strong.

“They have a chance to turn it all around. I would look at it like that. To lose a series like that could be the best thing that could happen to them. Before England, they have to utilise the time in the right manner, get the practice right. Lot of improvement is required in batting. England is a good team at home but you cannot write off India,” he stated.

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