Top 5 Pacers for India’s Long-Term Success

India’s resurgence in pace bowling attack has been a pleasant surprise for the cricket world. With a rich history of spin bowlers dominating their squad, their recent success in away victories and in limited-overs cricket can surely be credited to their newly-formed pace attack. It’s fascinating to witness how the country which was once short of pace bowlers is creating a robust squad. While spinners have always been a part of Team India’s DNA, the country has now taken a step ahead by producing high-quality pacers, capable of dominating the game. Despite having a long way to go, India has indeed put themselves on the right track, and it’s exciting to see what’s in store for their future.

The Indian cricket team has witnessed a surprising development in the last few years. Emergence of fast bowlers has brought a much-needed balance to the team and also highlighted the potential of India’s strong bench strength. With an abundance of talented players to choose from, the management often faces a dilemma of whom to select and whom to leave out. However, this is a good headache to have, which indicates the progress and bright future of Indian cricket. It’s now the responsibility of the team management to identify and nurture talent so that it can flourish and contribute towards India’s winning spirit. The time is ripe for Indian cricket to take the trend of fast bowling in the right direction and make the most of the available resources.

1. Umran Malik

Umran Malik, the rising Indian fast-bowler, left a mark in his debut IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad, and has since garnered attention from the Indian team management. Despite leaking runs of late, Malik’s raw pace and masculine physique make him a lethal weapon for India in the coming years. With guidance from the National Cricket Academy, the young pacer has the potential to be one of the top bowlers in the world.

2. Mohsin Khan

Mohsin Khan, the left-arm medium-fast bowler, has shown great promise with his economical and composed bowling style. After playing nine games for LSG in IPL 2022, he picked up 14 wickets at an economy of under 6 and a strike rate of 15, making him the talk of the town. While he was forced to undergo surgery and receiving treatment, his fans are eager for his full recovery and return to the pitch. With India in search of a left-arm pacer to fill Zaheer Khan’s shoes, Mohsin has shown potential to take on that role for the team in the future.

3. Mukesh Kumar 

Mukesh, one of the three pillars of Bengal’s bowling attack, has been a senior pro in domestic cricket. His accurate and controlled style of bowling similar to Josh Hazelwood has caught the attention of the Indian team. Mukesh made his IPL debut for Delhi Capitals in the current edition and is yet to hit his stride. After being bought for 5.5 crore, he has to settle in and continue performing his best. Mukesh’s journey hasn’t been easy, and he needs to be patient while waiting for his time to shine on the big stage.

4. Kuldeep Sen

Kuldeep Sen, the Madhya Pradesh pacer, impressed Rajasthan Royals with his bowling in a domestic match, leading to his selection for their team. He went on to have a successful debut season with eight wickets in seven matches, complementing his bowling partner Prasidh Krishna. He made his way into the Indian side, playing his first ODI against Bangladesh in December 2022, where he picked up two wickets in five overs. With a bright start to his career, Kuldeep needs to continue delivering with the ball as he remains in the mix for selection into the Indian team.

5. Arzan Nagwaswalla

Arzan Nagwaswalla‘s impressive Ranji Trophy success led him to be named a standby player for India’s England tour, but his name is hardly discussed among selectors now. This left-arm pacer has a smooth bowling action and can bring the ball back in, making him a formidable opponent with the ball. While he prioritizes red-ball cricket, he has proven his multi-format capabilities. He needs to be groomed and given a chance to showcase his skills in India ‘A’ fixtures in first-class matches. It’s high time selectors take notice of Arzan and give him the opportunity to shine.