Without doubt, this is the best pace attack India has ever had, says Kapil Dev

Without doubt, this is the best pace attack India has ever had, says Kapil Dev

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The legendary Kapil Dev heaped praise on India's current pace battery, saying the fast bowlers are the best attack that India has ever had over the years. Kapil commended the opportunities that have been given to the youngsters to express themselves and completely change the face of Indian cricket.

Less than a decade ago, India was a team that relied on their batsmen to deliver the runs, while the spinners tried to dismantle the opposition. Fast bowlers had mostly been resigned to hold one end up back then, but that is not the case anymore, and India’s World Cup-winning captain agrees.

"Do I have to say that? Aisa pace attack humne dekha nahi tha, socha bhi nahi tha (we have not seen such a pace attack and never thought about it). So one does not have to say anything and yes without any doubt, in the last four-five years the fast bowlers have changed the face of Indian cricket," Kapil told PTI.

India currently boasts of a lethal pace attack in Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Deepak Chahar and Navdeep Saini. Although Bumrah has been ruled out of the ongoing Test series against South Africa due to a stress fracture in his lower back, it was Shami who stood up to the task in the second innings of the first Test in Vizag.

"No issues about that (not being in the top 10 bowlers). How effective he (Shami) has been for the team is more important. You have seen him. Great to see him doing well and that's the bottom line. Today it is about their life. I am proud of the quality of Indian fast bowlers. They have come in numbers," Kapil said.

The 60-year-old, who was attending a promotional event in Mumbai, credited the IPL and the team management for providing the young pacers with a platform to showcase their talent.

"It takes time to develop a pace attack. It feels good to witness the amount of cricket that is being played now. Because of IPL, so many fast bowlers have got an opportunity. When you play more cricket, more players will come up. It is important to give youngsters opportunities to show their talent," Kapil added.

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