Veteran Indian team pacer Ishant Sharma suggests three quicks who can play a big part in team India’s future

The growth of the next generation of fast bowlers in every form of the game has been one of Team India’s main worries over the past several months. Only Mohammed Shami remains a consistent member of the Indian XI amongst the four main pacers over the past two years, notably in Test matches, due to Ishant Sharma’s departure from the team, Jasprit Bumrah’s ongoing injury problems, and Umesh Yadav’s removal from the team earlier this week. Shami was additionally rested for the upcoming West Indies tour, and Mohammed Siraj would be in charge of the pace attack.

Ishant Sharma, India’s standout pacer, offered his perspective on who he thinks could lead the team’s pace bowling arsenal in the future while the Indian team management struggles to develop the next generation of fast bowlers. Ishant identified three fast bowlers who, with the right coaching, have the potential to become prominent figures in Indian cricket during an interview on YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast.

Ishant Sharma said, “If you work properly with him, Umran Malik has the potential to do well for the country for a long period of time. (The other would be) Arshdeep Singh.”

He needs the right guidance on the field: Ishant Sharma

Mukesh Kumar was another player named by the Delhi Capitals fast bowler and thinks he can be part of the team for a long time. Mukesh made his first appearance in the 2023 season, however, he was expensive, allowing runs at a rate of 10.52 and taking seven dismissals in 10 games. However, Ishant emphasised that when examining Mukesh’s performances, one should look beyond the stats and give the justification for doing so.

Ishant Sharma said, “Not many people know his (Mukesh Kumar) story, but I haven’t seen a man as simple as him. If you ask him to bowl a particular delivery, he will bowl only that! He needs the right guidance on the field so that when the pressure situation comes, he knows what delivery to bowl. He went for runs in IPL because he bowled the tough overs. No one sees the situation in which he bowled, or which batsman he bowled to. Everyone sees that he conceded 50 runs in 4 overs.”