India bowling coach Arun praises pacer Shami

Melbourne, March 18, (IANS) India's speedster Mohammad Shami, who has claimed 15 wickets in just five World Cup games, has a bright future ahead of him that augurs well for Indian cricket, India’s bowling coach Bharat Arun said on Wednesday.

“He has been really impressive. Shami is one of the bowlers with the best release of the ball from the hand," Arun was quoted as saying by bcci.tv.

"The seam position of the ball at the time of delivery and landing is outstanding. He can look forward to a really bright future, which augurs well for Indian cricket," Arun said ahead of India's quarter-final against Bangladesh.

Clocking the 140 kmph mark with ease and swinging the ball both ways, Shami has extracted steep bounce and bowled an impeccable line and length throughout the five games he has played so far in the ongoing mega event.

"He can bowl at 140-plus consistently with the same kind of seam position, which is a great talent,” the bowling coach said.

Referring to New Zealand bowling legend Richard Hadlee’s words of appreciation about Shami, the bowling coach said what more can a bowler ask after such comments from a bowling legend.

“The great man, Richard Hadlee, has been impressed by Shami’s talent and labelled him as someone who will work wonders for India in the future. When you have those words coming from a bowling great, what else do you need as a bowler?” Arun said to BCCI.tv.

The Indian pacer has maintained an overall economy rate of 4.376 and a phenomenal strike rate of 12.6 in the World Cup so far.

With India’s bowling unit striking good form lately, the 52-year-old coach said the future of Indian bowling looks bright.

"This is an exciting pace battery that can bowl at 140-plus. India has never had a pace battery of three to four fast bowlers who can bowl at 140-plus consistently. It augurs extremely well for the country," he said.

"Also, the best part about this attack is that they learn from each other and have a healthy respect for each other. For example, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is experienced and keeps talking to most of the bowlers about bowling in certain situations," Arun added.