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Pace Isn't Everything: Sharma on Modern Fast Bowling
15 Oct
Summary
- Sanjeev Sharma believes speed alone doesn't define a great bowler.
- Bowlers need skills like seam, swing, and control for effectiveness.
- Aspiring pacers should focus on red-ball basics and off-season work.
Veteran cricketer Sanjeev Sharma, with decades of experience as a player and coach, asserts that modern fast bowling has become too fixated on sheer speed. While acknowledging the importance of bowling at 140 kmph, Sharma stresses that speed alone is insufficient for bowlers aiming for higher levels.
He highlights that true effectiveness comes from a bowler's ability to manipulate the ball through seam, swing, and cut, coupled with precise control. Sharma, who has coached various national teams and Indian domestic sides, observed during a Ranji Trophy match that many high-speed bowlers lacked the necessary skills to adapt to different conditions.
Sharma advises aspiring pacers to focus on fundamental techniques, particularly for red-ball cricket, and to engage in consistent work during the off-season. He believes that mastering the basics and developing game sense, including analyzing conditions and batter behavior, are crucial for developing a complete fast bowler.
