India vs West Indies, 1st Test: Three-man pace pack in progress

The three might be from different parts of the country, from diverse backgrounds, speaking different dialects and thinking differently, but knitted by the singular fact that all three are plying the same trade for their country. But there seems to be unfeigned twain of genuine companionship and an appreciation of each other’s craft, though at some point in time in the past they were competitors and in future could again be competitors jostling for India stripes. This togetherness, which is the unshakeable pillar of most celebrated bowling firms, promises exciting times ahead for Indian first bowling.

There is also a genuine joy in each other’s success and a sincere urge to help each other out in strife, rather than obsessed with the self. You can seen Umesh running frantically from the fine-leg to celebrate Shami’s wicket. Or Ishant having a quick word with Umesh or Shami. It was this manifestly evident affinity that helped India seize the initiative on the third day. “We always give that kind of confidence to each other. We are always pushing [each other]. Whenever things are a little difficult, we need to push our friend or team-mate a little bit up, and lift them. “For example, if Shami is bowling very well but not getting wickets, my job is to go and tell him, ‘Shami bhai you’re bowling very well, keep going’,” Umesh reflected.

This is, in essence, what fast bowlers call pack mentality. In Australia early last year, they had shown glimpses of it, like on the fourth day in Brisbane and on the first day in Melbourne, but without tangible results to show. But against the West Indies, here on the third day, on a pitch that scarcely collaborated to their plans, they bowled with sustained pace, aggression and hostility, kicking, screaming and pushing each other on. You could sense a wicket coming of every ball. Of course, Shami and Umesh gathered a lion’s share of the spoils. In fact, Ishant took none, but his spells were are intense and incisive, and contributive to the success of Shami and Umesh. “We realise that if it’s not my day, then it’s somebody else’s,” Umesh said.

Collectively, seldom has Indian fast bowlers bowled so well in recent memory, with every bowler not only playing their assigned role to the T, but also exceeding their expectation and displaying rare discipline throughout the day. This was applicable especially for Shami and Umesh, who in the past had a tendency to go off the boil impromptu. Suddenly, in the middle of a probing spell, they tended to switch off and lose their rhythm and direction. This was most telling in Australia, and resultantly India stuttered in critical phases of the series. They build the intensity, and then inexplicably took the lid off it. When they had to exercise patience, they merely balked. In Antigua, they ensured they don’t repeat the same mistakes.

What makes them even more dangerous is their diversity. They differ in their art of deception—Ishant has a wicked inswinger; Shami has a stinging outswinger; Umesh had rapid pace. Ishant solicits discomfiting bounce, Shami is versed in reverse swing; Umesh can fling in yorkers at will; Ishant consistently bowls back of length, Shami generally bowls full; Umesh hits the deck hard. Ishant seems always pre-occupied; Shami is perpetually cheerful; Umesh is warm and pleasant. This contrast makes them all the more a versatile pack.

At their best, great attacks feed from one another with styles and thought patterns that complement. The opposition are given no respite, the captain able to call on each and every one on demand in the knowledge that no one is to be hidden away. He will have at his disposal a great balance and a greater variety.

If they can manage to stay together for a while, evolve and pull in the same direction and stay injury-free, India’s pace bowling requirements will be solved for the foreseeable future.