3 Indian pacers who should be in World Cup 2015 plans

In India, spinners play an important role; hence, you need a bowler like Ravichandran Ashwin, who brings in a lot of variations. Outside the subcontinent, fast bowlers play an important role; therefore, you need a bowler like Mohammed Shami, who troubles the batsmen with his pace.

India have not really produced a good bowling performance in the last couple of overseas tours. Even Bhuvneshwar Kumar has not been able to make an impact with the new ball. The absence of a proper third fast bowler is costing the Indian team. Dhoni has tried Ishant Sharma and Varun Aaron, but both of them didn’t click. Since the pacers have disappointed him, MS Dhoni had no choice but to rely on his spinners. But much to his dismay, even the spinners have let him down.

Dhoni has to understand that it’s the pacers who will be holding the key abroad. With the World Cup 2015 scheduled in Australia and New Zealand, the wickets would certainly have pace and bounce, and therefore, he needs to find a bowler like Shami who bowls accurately with pace. The bowlers should also have the ability to curb the run-flow in the death overs as well.

Here are some such bowlers who should be considered for the 2015 World Cup.

Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan

The current bunch of selectors have been ignoring the senior players because of their poor form. They have, instead, opted to go in with young pacers, who are doing well at the domestic level. But they fail to understand that experience comes in handy while playing outside the sub-continent. The plan to go in with the young pacers for the New Zealand tour has backfired terribly.

Zaheer Khan was ignored for the One-day series in South Africa as well as for the New Zealand trip. Following his omission from the One-day squad, many cited his fitness issues as the reason. But it doesn’t seem to be the problem with Zaheer Khan. He looked in a good rhythm despite sending in so many overs in South Africa. He should have been ignored to give opportunities to the likes of Mohammad Shami, Varun Aaron and Ishant Sharma.

However, Zaheer has to be in the scheme of things for the 2015 World Cup. He has the experience of playing in Australia and can generate extra bounce from the Australian wickets. His presence on the field would certainly boost the confidence of other bowlers. Zaheer’s input to the bowlers on the field is more valuable, which can help the young pacers to rise to the occasion and shine outside the sub-continent.

For instance, until the South Africa tour, Ishant Sharma was not in good nick. The first Test at Johannesburg almost changed the fortunes for Ishant Sharma. He claimed four wickets in the first innings, which clearly showed the impact that the senior fast bowler can have.

Zaheer has also proven to be a dangerous bowler with the new ball on seaming and bouncy wickets. He can get the ball to swing, which could be a test for opening batsmen. Some of the left-handed batsmen like Graeme Smith, Alastair Cook and David Warner found it extremely difficult to tackle Zaheer with the new ball.

With Mohammad Shami in fine nick, Zaheer’s inclusion would certainly bolster India’s death bowling attack. Zaheer has the ability to deliver yorkers consistently, and that’s the area India are lacking now. The return of Zaheer would be an ideal solution for India’s death bowling.

Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav

After 28 One-day internationals, Umesh Yadav has managed to get only 30 wickets. At one stage, he was the most reliable bowler for India, but he soon lost his accuracy. He also started leaking runs at the death, and thereafter, India have not found a proper go-to bowler in the slog overs.

He was once again given a chance in the second One-day match at Durban but gave away 57 runs in nine overs. Umesh Yadav’s place in the 2015 World Cup squad is now under the scanner.

He also doesn’t have a good record in Australia in the last three years. Having played three One-day matches in Australia, he has managed to get only four wickets. Though his economy rate is under six, Yadav’s inability to get wickets is a spot of bother for Team India.

However, considering the nature of wickets in Australia, Yadav should be in the World Cup plans. Before the World Cup, he should be given a chance in England and Australia, and the selectors will have to observe his performances. If he fails to get wickets, India will have to look for other options.

Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan

After a demoralizing tour of New Zealand, one would have felt that the experience is lacking in the bowling unit. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s inability to swing the ball both ways, and a lack of a proper third seamer continues to bother MS Dhoni. Also, he doesn’t have a bowler who can vary the pace to instill doubts in the minds of the batsmen.

That’s where a bowler like Irfan could prove to be handy. Irfan Pathan’s career, however, has been hit by reoccurring injuries. The Baroda pacer has recovered now and is desperate to get back into the team. He brings the stability to the squad and also provides Dhoni with the extra batting option.

Irfan Pathan brings in a lot of variations in his bowling. His off-cutters and leg-cutters would certainly control the run-flow. Since he builds the pressure, the batsmen, more often than not, will look to attack the other bowler. If Dhoni has a quality bowler operating from the other end, the batting team could be under trouble.

Apart from his variations, Pathan is a generally a good exponent of the new ball. When Pathan swings the new ball, he’s quite accurate. He has troubled the right-handed batsmen and has trapped them in front with the new ball even after his comeback in 2011. So, Irfan Pathan must be in the plans for the World Cup 2015.

Irfan has done reasonably well in Australia. Having played 11 matches, he has 16 wickets to his name, with a best of 4/41. He has done a pretty good job, but his economy rate is more than 6.00 runs per over, which can be a worrying factor for India.

Bhuveshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami don’t find a place in the list because they have cemented their place in the squad. But, Ishant Sharma’s place is under scrutiny following a poor performance in New Zealand. Having played 72 ODIs so far, it’s really disappointing to see him still having problems with accuracy.