India have enough skilled quick bowlers in reserve to meet challenges of crowded schedule – Ian Chappell

Former Australian skipper Ian Chappell believes the Indian team have enough skilled quick bowlers in reserve to meet the challenges of a crowded schedule. India’s bench strength has improved leaps and bounds in the last couple of seasons and the same was palpable on the tour of Australia.

India was without their first choice bowlers but the likes of Mohammed Siraj, T Natarajan and Shardul Thakur had delivered the goods. Mohammed Shami was ruled out with a fractured arm whereas Jasprit Bumrah was also injured for the final Test match at the Gabba. Furthermore, India didn’t have the services of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja but they were able to surprise the Australians at their fortress.

Meanwhile, India is now all set to play six Test matches in England and their bench strength will be once again tested. India’s pace battery has taken giant strides in the recent past and the pace trio of Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami is one of the best in the world.

Moreover, Virat Kohli also has bowlers like Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj. Thus, India ticks most of the boxes as far as fast bowling is concerned and the same has been instrumental in their success in the overseas conditions.

Ian Chappell wrote for ESPN Cricinfo, “The modern cricketer is substantially better rewarded than players of the previous century. However, like with all such things in life, there is a downside involved. This comes in the form of the numerous adjustments to be made because of the extra formats that are now played and the resultant crowding of the schedule.

“This was highlighted in the last Australia-India series, where the home side used the same fast-bowling trio in all four Tests. As the Australian pace bowlers wore down in the final stages of the series, their Indian counterparts may have caught a break as injuries meant they had to constantly change personnel. India is one of the few teams who have enough skilled quick bowlers in reserve to meet the challenges of the schedule and still remain competitive,” Ian Chappell further added.

India will aim to come up with a collective effort and they will look to savour success in England. The Virat Kohli-led team had lost the previous five-match Test series in England by 4-1 and they will aim to turn the tables as they have a potent bowling line-up.