Zaheer Khan is raving about India’s fast bowling resources with special mention made of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami but he isn’t shy to point out that Navdeep Saini would be a beast in Test cricket.
“The longer format, that’s the format that suits Saini,” Zaheer told Mumbai Mirror. “Saini has got the pace and consistency in length.”
Saini has impressed in the shorter formats of the game with his pace and bounce and won the Man of the Match award on debut for his 3 for 17.
Shami and Bumrah were outstanding in the Caribbean and the former left-arm pacer reserved special praise for them, in particular Bumrah, who was swinging the ball away from right handers.
“I have always said that if he had that outswinger for the right-handers, he will be a nightmare for the batting sides. I am glad that it has happened now,” Zaheer said. “He needs to work on his fitness and keep doing the things that have brought him this far. With experience he will keep getting better and better.”
He was also praising Shami for his hunger and the World Cup burst that helped India to the semi-finals.
“With Shami we all knew about the wrist position and the upright seam. The only iffy thing was fitness but now he has worked on that.”
“He has been phenomenal in terms of getting his fitness level up to the standard that is required. This has been a huge plus for him. Ability was always there. Just that some injuries had kept him out for a year. He has come back strongly. A lot of credit has to go to him for how he is managing himself and the hunger that he has shown to come back and play at the top level.”