IND vs WI | India's fast bowlers make world cricket exciting , says Phil Simmons

11/27/2019

Windies coach Phil Simmons is extremely intrigued by the way India's fast bowlers have performed off late and he feels that they make world cricket more exciting. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, the trio of Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav have dominated India's home season.

Indian fast bowlers tormenting opposition batsmen is a sight that 20 years back no one thought was possible as India always relied on spin in home conditions to win them matches. But this home season, India have not played on turning wickets and it is India's pacers that have done all the damage in the Tests against South Africa and Bangladesh.

India have always produced one special fast bowler in a generation but to have five quality bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav in the rank at one time has given the Indian team a complete different dimension and belief that they can beat any team anywhere in the world.

Coming from a land that was once a breeding ground for world-class fast bowlers like Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall, etc. Windies coach Phil Simmons has been highly impressed with the Indian pace attack.

"I can't say how long ago, but when I first came here, you would have Madan Lal opening the bowling," Simmons told ESPNCricinfo.

"Now you have guys bowling at 90 miles per hour opening and your premier fast bowler (Bumrah) was injured for this Test, so you still have him to come back. It's exciting for world cricket," he added.

The Windies will play a one-off Test against Afghanistan before playing an ODI and T20I series against the hosts India. Simmons also spoke about the historic pink-ball Test that took place at the Eden Gardens and was on the same page as that of Indian captain Virat Kohli in ways to market Test cricket.

"I did watch the first day. It was exciting to see Eden Gardens full. It's an awesome sight," Simmons asserted.

"I think Virat hit the nail on the head when he said we have to promote Test cricket as hard as we promote T20. Even though T20 has more money involved, we have to promote it the same way. I think if that's done, we can see a resurgence of big crowds in Test cricket anywhere you go in the world," he revealed.

Sighting the pink-ball has been a problem that many batsmen have complained about but Simmons still feels that even with a few flaws, D/N Test is the way to move forward with Test cricket.

"Especially day-night Test cricket, I think that is the future," he concluded.