For years, India looked for one genuine left-armer to lend variety to a monotonous attack. Now they’ve arrived in threes, India are looking for the other kind of variety — the right kind. But are the three Indian left-armers worth their places in the side or does playing all three of them show a lack of reserves? Chaminda Vaas, the man who uses his left arm better than anybody else in the world, analyses India’s pace trioIrfan Pathan: One for the futureHe is young, energetic and bowls with a lot of confidence. For starters, that puts him a notch above the rest. In time, if he can bring more control along with the pace, there’ll be a lot more that he can contribute. The idea is to bowl within your limits when you know that things are not in your favour.Ashish Nehra: Fitness flawsHe still has to improve in a lot of areas. But first, more than anything, Nehra needs to work more on his fitness. That has always been a major concern for him. A fast bowler is not worth a penny if he cannot keep himself fit. I spend a lot of time only going about with my fitness drills. Fitness is what counts in international cricket. If you are talented, the game will always remain with you.Zaheer Khan: Best attacking bowlerHe can be way too erratic at times. But that can happen because of a lot of other things; the pressure to perform, match-situation and — in some ways — a bit of complacence. In my view, Zaheer has always been a capable bowler. Injuries might have rocked his bowling at times but he is the best attacking bowler in the Indian team at present.(As told to K Shriniwas Rao)
