It is not just the Indian batting line-up that other teams will need to be wary of during the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. Indian cricket team’s pace bowling unit also cannot be underestimated, says former Sri Lanka pacer Chaminda Vaas.
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Vaas, who retired from international cricket after the 2011 World Cup, believes India’s pace quartet of Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah is the best in the world at the moment.
“The main thing is fitness level. They are strong, bowling quick, learning fast from their games and are very consistent. I think this is the best group of fast bowlers in the world. India will produce more such fast bowlers as they play more matches in IPL and other tournaments,” Vaas said on the sidelines of a short coaching stint for boys selected from the ongoing Mitsui Shoji T20 tournament.
Vaas reserved special praise for Bumrah, who is being groomed by Sri Lanka pace ace Lasith Malinga at Mumbai Indians. “I am sure whatever Malinga or Shane Bond (MI bowling coach) will tell him (Bumrah), he will implement. The best part is that he is giving his 100% which is important. He is improving day-by-day which is crucial for a fast bowler. He is doing well with the advice he is getting. He is doing a wonderful job at the moment,” Vaas said.
{{/usCountry}}Vaas reserved special praise for Bumrah, who is being groomed by Sri Lanka pace ace Lasith Malinga at Mumbai Indians. “I am sure whatever Malinga or Shane Bond (MI bowling coach) will tell him (Bumrah), he will implement. The best part is that he is giving his 100% which is important. He is improving day-by-day which is crucial for a fast bowler. He is doing well with the advice he is getting. He is doing a wonderful job at the moment,” Vaas said.
{{/usCountry}}Malinga, however, has been nowhere close to his best for Mumbai Indians this time. He has picked only 10 wickets in 10 games at an economy rate of 9.10 which is a far cry from his overall economy rate (6.88 in 108 matches) in the IPL.
‘Malinga will bounce back’
Vaas, however, is confident that the pacer will come good in the Champions Trophy for Sri Lanka. “He is coming back from an injury (Malinga was out of competitive cricket since missing the last IPL due to knee injury). He has not bowled for a year. When you don’t bowl for so long, it becomes difficult as fast bowling is all about fitness. He is someone who will always give his 100%. He practices hard, bowls plenty of balls in the nets to get his rhythm back. He may be on and off, but I am sure he will get his rhythm back and do well in the Champions Trophy,” Vaas said.
Vaas didn’t want to pick favourites for Champions Trophy. “In June it will be cold and the wickets would be fresh. So, I think the bowlers will hold the key. If I have to give my observation, it would be England, New Zealand and one of the teams from the subcontinent,” he said.