Really worried about fast bowlers under these circumstances, admits Irfan Pathan

Veteran pacer Irfan Pathan, who retired from all forms of cricket earlier this year, was a huge pace-bowling prospect for Team India when he made his debut in 2003. The Indian team now has formed a formidable pace unit that is considered to be world-class and, with the help of these pacers, they ruled the ICC World Test Championship until the COVID-19 pandemic happened in mid-March.

As cricket marked its resumption, with the ongoing Test series between England and West Indies, new rules by the ICC have been in place. In this regard, Pathan admitted that pacers, more than others, would probably face the wrath of these changes that are in place and opined that it would require a period of about 4-6 weeks for them to get back into rhythm.

"To be honest, I am really worried about the fast bowlers. Going forward, they might need 4-6 weeks to get going themselves. It's a tough job and if you are bowling 140-150 kmph, running about 25 yards to bowl one ball at a time and then keep bowling for a few overs,” said Pathan on Star Sports show Cricket Connected.

"Your body gets stiff, injury management will be key as well because I think for any fast bowler to get back into the rhythm, it takes at least 4-6 weeks, so I think fast bowlers will have to be a little more careful than the spinners or the batsmen," he added.

Despite the saliva ban, though, fast bowlers have thus far made a fine start as the first Test between England and West Indies was dominated by the quicks. West Indies pacer Shannon Gabriel, in fact, walked away with the Man of the Match for his exquisite nine-wicket haul in the game.