Exclusive: India’s Fast-Bowling Future in Flux as Injuries, Inconsistency Hamper New Crop, says T.A. Sekhar

Not long ago, the Indian pace attack looked one of the most formidable in Test cricket, featuring Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj performing at a high level. 

Cut to 2025, and apart from Bumrah and Siraj, no other fast bowler has emerged as a strong candidate to replace Shami, Sharma, or Yadav.

While some have shown potential, frequent injuries and inconsistencies have hindered their progress. In the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, fast bowler Akash Deep put on a stellar show (4/88 and 6/99) in Birmingham, but he could pick up only one wicket at Lord's before sustaining a groin injury.

Prasidh Krishna played the first two Tests to return only six wickets, plus he was expensive in three out of the four innings he bowled, with the economy rate closer to 6.4.

The Indian think tank introduced youngster Anshul Kamboj in Manchester on a wicket that required speedsters to hit the deck, but he looked more like a kiss-the-deck bowler with an average speed of 125 kmph. 

Focus on technique to add pace

T.A. Sekhar, a former Indian fast bowler turned coach, said the current pacers needed technical adjustments to increase pace and reduce injuries. 

"Any bowler clocking at an excess of 135 kmph can get injured. Injuries are inherent in fast bowling, so technical inputs are handy. The bowlers strive for pace and compromise on their technique. If they bowl fast with proper technique, there will be fewer injuries," he told SportsBoom.com during the fifth and final Test between England and India at The Oval.

Sekhar, who trained several fast bowlers at the MRF Face Foundation in Chennai since the late 1980s alongside Dennis Lillee, felt the speedsters needed to be more athletic. 

"Players get injured when their fitness levels or technical side is weak. They do sprinting, but long-distance running can help to a larger extent, as their running style will change. It will get them more athletic."

Prasidh Krishna: Straight out of T20s

Krishna was tipped to be a hot pace battery in England after his sensational outing in the Indian Premier League, where he finished top wicket-taker with 25 scalps. However, it didn't go as expected although he has a chance to redeem himself at The Oval.

The right-arm pacer's only good spell (1/39) came in the second innings at Birmingham at an economy of 2.78. 

"Krishna is a quick seam-up type of a bowler. But he needs to work a lot on his technique. He has come out of a back surgery. If he doesn’t work on his technique, he may have problems later while playing in the longer format. As of now, he has played a lot of T20 and ODI cricket. He needs to work on his line and length in Test cricket," added Sekhar.

The future of Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj

Sekhar has seen Akash Deep closely since his formative years, as he was part of the Cricket Association of Bengal's Vision 2020 coaching programme. 

"Akash Deep is a mechanical fast bowler who works hard. He can improve his seam bowling. He has played a lot with Shami. I am sure Shami has told him about these things. He bowls well to left-handers when he angles it in round the wicket," said the 69-year-old, who has also worked with IPL franchises Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals).

Kamboj, according to Sekhar, is capable of clocking higher speeds. 

"He is a talented guy with a good physique. He needs to work on his run-up, and if he can improve the delivery stride, it would be even better. He can move the ball consistently with a good line-and-length. The action doesn’t look injury-prone, and he is agile and strong. Kamboj can increase his speed if he is mentored properly. He can touch the 140K barrier; he needs to make slight technical adjustments."

Sekhar, who made his Test debut under Sunil Gavaskar's leadership, was India's fastest bowler in the 1980s. He understands the respect associated with bowling quick. 

"At the international level today, if you are bowling at an excess of 140kmph, you get both respect and wickets. Not that people below 140 don't pick up wickets, but a couple of bowlers clocking higher speeds is even better. All these fellows need to be mentored and told how to upscale their craft."

It is uncertain whether the Board of Control for Cricket in India will hire a professional to make technical adjustments to these fast bowlers, as coaching for fast bowling has increasingly become data-driven and scientific.