Kolkata: Chairman of selectors MSK Prasad on Thursday said that India’s five-pronged pace attack that is travelling to South Africa is one of the best Indian attacks to have toured the country as every member of the unit has something different to offer.
Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah are the five pacers that would travel to South Africa for the three-match Test series.
“I can’t comment on the opposition bowling attack but from our perspective we have one of the best bowling attacks that has toured South Africa,” said Prasad on the sidelines of the Ranji Trophy semi-final between Vidarbha and Karnataka at the Eden Gardens on Thursday.
He further explained, “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.”
A major part of India’s Test success in recent times have been at home but Prasad feels that heading into a tough tour like that of South Africa with so many victories in the bag is a good thing.
“The confidence we have with so many victories in Test matches, though they have come at home but still..going on a winning note is always good. So I am sure this is one of the most balanced teams that we have,” he said.
One of India’s key members in Test cricket, Ajinkya Rahane has had a torrid time with the willow in recent times. He could muster only 17 runs in the three-match Test series against Sri Lanka but the right-hander had earlier received support from former skipper Sourav Ganguly who had said form isn’t a concern with the Mumbai batsman.
Now, Prasad too has come out in support of Rahane saying that he remains a key player in overseas conditions, where he has scored runs.
“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,” Prasad said.