There was a time when there were not many fast bowlers around, however, I am happy that today’s generation is adapting to this difficult art. This is the reason why a lot of fast bowlers are getting ready today, which is a good sign for team India as such. Considering the abundance of pacers in the squad, India can also pay attention to our rotation policy and also pick bowlers for different formats.
Every fast bowler has a special ability. Some are experts in bowling long spells, while others bowl in short spells. In the latter case, bowlers should be picked for T20s and ODIs, and those who are exceptional, and are agile with good stamina and strength, should be picked for Test cricket. I am glad that BCCI is following this pattern today which is a good sign for the Indian cricket.
However, the biggest problem in Team India currently is the absence of a test leg-spinner. At one-time leg spinners used to dominate international cricket. From Bhagwat Chandrasekhar to Shane Warne and Anil Kumble, there have been excellent leg-spinners in world cricket who were not so easy to play. I think Yazuvendra Chahal, who has proved to be a very useful bowler for India in white-ball cricket, should also get an opportunity in Test cricket.
India must give such a skilled player a chance in the Test, which will bring a lot of variety to their attack. Leg spin bowling is great art. If Chahal gets a chance in the Test, he can bowl for longer spells. For a spinner, the ball has to spin in addition to a perfect length. The leg spinner can also be effective through their googly and flippers. There is a need to keep this art alive in India.
You must be wondering why I am raising the issue of leg spinner. Everyone knows that I was a fast bowler. However, I too have got a chance to try spin bowling in Test cricket. I was told that in 1976 against England, Bishan Singh Bedi was not on the field, then Sunil Gavaskar asked me to bowl spin and I got five wickets in that Test from spin bowling. Similarly, in a match during the Australian tour, Bishan Bedi again not being on the field, I was given the responsibility to bowl spin, and I took three wickets. Hence, as a spinner, I think that if India gets a good leg-spinner in the test, then myriad problems can be solved.