By Jithu Jose Parackal
India is not known for producing fast bowlers, barring a few exceptions like Kapil Dev, Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath. Well, at least for now, India’s fast bowling contingent looks good with the likes of Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron and Mohammed Shami. But, it’s too early to say anything. India needs to add more firepower in the bowling arsenal, which is exactly the reason why we need to have a closer scrutiny of some of the best domestic talent in the country.
Here’s my scout report:
Anureet Singh (Railways)
Anureet Singh, who plays for Railways, has been in the prime form this season. Anureet made his first class debut against Karnataka in 2008. This season , he has taken 44 wickets in the Ranji Trophy at an outstanding economy of 2.22. What is more incredible is his average of 17.56. These numbers, certainly, speaks for Singh, who is known to be a very hardworking bowler. Anureet’s biggest strength is his solid temperament, that allows him to be consistent in his approach, even when the chips are down. It is the start of the wonderful things to blossom in the future, he just needs to keep working hard.
Pankaj Singh (Rajasthan)
Pankaj Singh is a seasoned campaigner in the domestic circuit of India. He hails from Uttar Pradesh, but he made debut for Rajasthan against Services during 2004-05 season. In 2006-07 season, Pankaj Singh’s 21 wickets helped Rajasthan reach the semi-finals of the Ranji Plate league. His consistent performances earned him place in the India-A side, where he performed well, and made a strong case himself in the national team. After years of hardwork at the domestic level, Pankaj finally played his first ODI against Zimbabwe in 2010. Pankaj didn’t perform as per the expectations, and selectors made a harsh call by dropping without giving a fair trial. Since then, he has been a consistent performer at the Ranji level, but the selectors have overlooked him, for the national team. In this season , Pankaj has picked 39 wickets from 8 matches at an average of 22.46. He surely has caught the eyes of the selectors. Those who have followed his cricket, believe that he should be a given a chance to represent the Indian team. He is a steady bowler and has great control.
Jasprit Bumrah (Gujarat)
Bumrah has a very un-orthodox action. He plays for Gujarat in the domestic circuit.
Jasprit Bumrah, 20 years has been a star performer in the domestic season, this year. In the Ranji Trophy this season, he has played 8 matches and captured 38 wickets at an impressive average of 21.15, which shows his talent is worth mentioning. Bumrah can swing the ball both ways, and with his slinging action, it becomes really difficult to pick which way the ball is moving. In the last season of the IPL, Bumrah played a few matches for Mumbai Indians, and after his stellar performance against RCB, in which he dismissed Gayle and Kohli, Bumrah became a known name among the cricket lovers. Bumrah is very young, he just needs to keep working hard and carry on bowling well, picking wickets, and success will come.
Sandeep Sharma (Punjab)
Sandeep Sharma is not a fast bowler, he’s only medium-fast, but his ability to swing the ball both ways, has impressed many. Sandeep was the spearhead of India’s bowling attack in the u-19 world cup in Australia. He finished the tournament as the leading wicket taker, and helped India lift the world cup trophy.
In the 2012-13 season he was in the thick of things, scalping 41 wickets in 9 matches, which goes on to show his thirst for picking wickets. For his good performances at the domestic level, he was awarded an IPL contract by Kings XI Punjab.
In the 2013-14 season, he continued from where he left. He scalped 36 wickets from 8 matches at an mpressive average of 23.58. He is young and capable of doing well for India in the future.
Samad Fallah (Maharashtra)
Samadh Fallah, the left arm seamer from Maharashtra has been making news of late. He wrecked havoc with the new ball as ripped apart Bengal in the Ranji Trophy semi-final claiming 7-58 in 16.4 overs. Fallah, in his debut season took 20 wickets. Since the, he has been consistently picking up wickets. In the 2013-14 season, he picked up 31 wickets from 8 matches in the Ranji Trophy. Fallah can be a good replacement for Zaheer Khan who is struggling for fitness and form. He needs to keep performing and guard himself against complacency. He also needs to work on his fitness and shed a few kilos.
