Bharat Arun, India's bowling coach, reckons the current group of fast bowlers that the country has shall be able to retain their form and fitness for "at least two more years", but said the team management and selectors are also already looking for the next batch that would serve Indian cricket in the future.
The pace pack, featuring Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav, has done a fantastic job for India in the last two-three years, both home and away.
However, with only Bumrah being in the early days of his Test career, there is also need for India to create strong back-ups, who would be able to replace a few of these stalwarts in time to come.
"The present attack has done exceptionally well and I don't see any problem in them continuing as a group for at least two more years. If they remain fit and strong, they can well continue after that as a group but yes certainly two years at least," PTI quoted Arun as saying.
Identifying the next crop of fast bowlers shall also help India prolong the stay of current speed merchants.
"Yes, an exciting crop of fast bowlers is coming through and it will require a joint effort of the selectors and coaches to identify the next batch so that there is a healthy bench strength," said Arun.
"Also we can use fast bowlers as per rotation policy depending on their respective workloads. This is required as you want your prime fast bowlers to be ready for the best occasions."
In that quest, first-class cricket and India A tours come in really handy.
Arun believes pacers and spinners who are on the fringes shall be part of the national camp alongside the current group whenever COVID-19 lockdown is over. Such an arrangement would allow youngsters to pick the brains of Ishant Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin & co.
"I would like all the contracted fast bowlers to be in the camp, also some of the promising bowlers (fast and spin) who have done well in domestic cricket as well as for India A to be included in the camp," he said.
There is worry from outside that the Indian team would find it difficult to adjust to a cramped calendar post the pandemic, given players haven't had full-fledged skill-based training since March. Arun, however, is optimistic.
"Honestly, I won't say I am worried about anything as bowlers have worked really hard to get stronger and that augurs extremely well for our boys," he said.
"Skillwise we just need to sharpen ourselves, the biggest challenge is how quickly you can get the bowlers match ready."
(Inputs from PTI)
