India lack fast bowling role models to inspire next generation: Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly says Zaheer Khan was one of the few impressive Indian quicks

India’s endless hunt for quality pacers has a lot to do with the lack of fast bowling role models in the country, says former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly.

"It's about the way you think in life in whatever you do. It's about what you want to become. Sometimes I think the role models in India are too many batsmen; Sunil Gavaskar, Gundappa Vishwanath, Mohinder Amarnath, Sachin, VVS. You ask a kid in India who do you want to be and they'd say I want to bat like Tendulkar," Ganguly was quoted as saying during the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in New Delhi.

On the contrary, arch-rivals Pakistan have a great tradition of producing world class fast bowlers, which the 42-year-old puts down to the attitude and presence of bowling role models like the legendary Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

"They say that in Pakistan, every city you go to or every street you go to you will find someone who turns up and bowls quick. I think it's got to do a lot with the attitude. It has a lot to do with the role models. Pakistan has the likes of Imran Khan, Waqar and Wasim who would run up and bowl fast," Ganguly said.

Despite all that, the former skipper feels Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan have always responded to the challenge and served the team with their abilities. However, he was quick to add that they never had an abundant number of talented fast bowlers to choose from.

"India have produced good bowlers at times. May not be a Wasim or a Waqar who were outstandingly gifted but someone like Srinath, who was genuinely quick. I've seen him in South Africa and Australia, where some of the batsmen would run towards square leg when he was at his best.

"Zaheer Khan too, was an outstanding seamer. We've had good bowlers in periods but have not had the supply like Pakistan has produced," Ganguly said.

The likes of Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav, who are the fastest of the current Indian lot, will be itching to have a go in helpful Australian conditions during the upcoming series and show that they, too, have the required ammunition now to hurt opposition batsmen. .