Bishan Singh Bedi –Legendary left-arm spinner, on Thursday, admitted that the Indian pace attack is a fairly formidable lot, but is unsure whether they can match South African pacers or not.
He further added that the real test for the Indian pacers is not to break down there, as there will be "heavy workload" for them in the upcoming three-Test series, starting in Cape Town on January 5.
Speaking to International Business Times, India, Bishan Singh Bedi said, “I am not sure if they [Indian fast bowlers] can match South African pacers. But they are a fairly formidable lot. They compliment each other. The workload is going to be pretty heavy. The real test for them is not to break down. If they stay fit throughout the series, they will do well.”
South Africa have a well-established pace attack, consisting the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and comeback men Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, while India landed in South Africa with their exciting pace battery likes of Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and limited-over specialist Jasprit Bumrah, which adds variety to their pace attack.
Although, that Indian attack seems to be capable of winning matches for the national side in South Africa, but Bedi is not confident that they can match Dale Steyn led Proteas pace attack.
Legendary Indian spinner went to further stress the importance of having an all-rounder in playing XI, saying India should include an all-rounder in the playing XI to reduce the workload on their pacers.
He further added, “If they play four bowlers, the workload is going to so much more for them. I am a firm believer that if the first six batters don't deliver then the seventh one is not going to deliver. Six batsmen, which includes a solid all-rounder, is good enough for the team.”
Commenting on India’s biggest match-winners R Ashwin and R Jadeja in Test cricket, Bedi signed off by saying, "Ashwin and Jadeja have done a magnificent job in the last two years. I am not very convinced about leaving them out for the limited-overs campaign. It's all very well, they are rightly trying new faces, building up new talent. But all this at the expense of the fair amount of professional pride of these two. I hope that doesn't come in the way of their performances in South Africa.”
