Rise Of Indian Pacers Highlight Of 2019: Irfan Pathan
His combined average of 15.16 is the best for the team's fast bowlers (minimum 50 wickets) in any calendar year
Mumbai: Veteran Indian fast bowler Irfan Pathan says that the country’s rise as a fast bowler is the highlight of the year for him, while former batsman VVS Laxman won the Test against Australia as a “favourite moment” for 2019.
The trio of Umesh Yadav (23), Ishant Sharma (25) and Mohammed Shami (33) took 81 wickets in Tests this year, averaging less than 20.
Only the second time when three pacers from the same team averaged fewer than 20 wickets for more than 20 wickets in a calendar year, Ian Botham, Chris Old and Bob Willis claimed the honours in their favour.
He said, “This year we saw the Indian fast bowlers bowling beautifully for the country. This is one of the best fast bowling we have seen. We saw the intent with which they bowled, they came in, bowled hard-swinging deliveries, new or old ball it didn’t matter,” Pathan told ‘Star Sports’.
“I have really seen the growth of Indian cricket in terms of fast bowling, which has been the main attraction for me this year,” he said. His combined average of 15.16 is the best for the team’s fast bowlers (minimum 50 wickets) in any calendar year.
On the other hand, Laxman felt that India cut the cake by beating Australia in his own backyard. India beat Australia 2–1 in a four-match series, which began in December 2018 but ended in January 2019.
“It is a very good year for Indian cricket, but as a Test cricketer my dream was always to defeat Australia but I could not achieve that in my career,” he said.
“I’m so glad that this Indian team under Virat’s (Kohli) leadership has beaten Australia for the first time in their own backyard which is my favourite moment of Indian cricket in 2019,” he added.
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