The veteran left-arm pace bowler Ashish Nehra has decided to announce retirement from international cricket after playing his last T20I against New Zealand on 1st November 2017 at New Delhi. It has been a remarkable journey for Nehra who made his debut in 1999 who played under various captains. He played 17 test matches, 120 ODI’s and 26 T20Is for team India. He has been suffering from injuries and thus decided to retire from international cricket to give chances to young fast bowlers.
India has produced some top quality pace bowlers in the past like Kapil Dev, Zaheer Khan, Chetan Sharma. In current times, team India has Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav who can bowl fast and trouble the opposition batsmen. With Ashish Nehra going to retire, there is a good quality of young fast bowlers who are waiting for the chance in Indian team.
Here we look at the top 5 young who should be given a chance to replace Ashish Nehra
- Mohammad Siraj
Mohammad Siraj came to limelight in the Indian Premier League season where he was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise for 2.6 Crores. He impressed with his speed and ability to surprise the batsmen taking 10 wickets in 6 matches with an economy of 9.21 runs per over.
During last year Ranji Trophy season, Siraj took 41 wickets in 9 matches (17 innings) and was the third leading wicket-takers. Hyderabad reached the quarterfinals last year. Due to good performances, he was given a chance in India A tour of South Africa. In domestic T20Is, Siraj has taken 26 wickets in 16 matches with an economy of 7.85 runs per over. He could be an ideal replacement for Nehra with pace and accuracy.
Basil Thampi another impressive youngster made his Indian Premier League debut this year. He was bought by Gujarat Lions for 85 Lakhs. During IPL 10, he picked 11 wickets in 12 matches and also scored 28 runs. Despite going for 9.49 runs per over during the tournament, Thampi impressed of reverse swinging the old ball and bowling Yorkers with accuracy.
He has played 35 T20I’s and picked 37 wickets. In last year’s Ranji Trophy, Thampi played 6 matches for Kerala and took 9 wickets. His experience of playing India A tours and IPL would help too soon wear the national cap. Thampi bowls at 140 kmph and can trouble the best batsmen in the world. After Nehra’s retirement, he could be given a chance with his speed, accuracy and bowling Yorkers in death overs.
- Sandeep Sharma
Sandeep Sharma another impressive youngster who could be given a chance in 20 over format. The 24-year-old fast bowler has taken part in two Under 19 World Cups. He was a part of the team which won the Under 19 World Cup in 2012. Sharma made his IPL debut in 2013. In this year’s IPL, Sandeep Sharma bowled brilliantly taking 17 wickets in 13 matches with an economy of 8.29.
He has only played in 2 T20I for India against Zimbabwe. In the IPL, Sandeep Sharma has done very well for Kings XI Punjab with the new ball and also with the old ball.
Sandeep Sharma has the ability to swing the new ball and also bowl Yorkers with great control. In domestic T20Is for Punjab, Sharma has played 77 T20 matches for Punjab taking 94 wickets at an economy of 7.41 runs per over. He might be selected for the T20Is series against New Zealand or Sri Lanka.
He made his first-class debut for Punjab in 2011 and since then Sandeep Sharma has done well in domestic circuit.
Siddarth Kaul another young and impressive fast bowler plays for Punjab in the domestic tournaments. He was a member of the Indian team which won Under 19 World Cup in 2008. Kaul has been impressed with the speed and ability to swing the ball. In last year’s Ranji Trophy season, the fast bowler took 35 wickets in 8 matches ( 14 innings) with best figures of 6/27. Despite his good performances, Punjab could not reach the quarterfinals.
He did not perform well for Delhi Daredevils. In this year’s IPL for SRH, he impressed with his speed and bowling Yorkers in important situations. Kaul took 16 wickets in 10 matches with an economy of 8.41. In 2012/13 Ranji Trophy season, the fast bowler was the second leading wicket-takers for Punjab taking 44 wickets in 9 matches ( 17 innings). With his consistency, Kaul might get a chance in T20I’s.
Shardul Thakur another promising youngster has done well in the domestic circuit for Mumbai. In last year’s Ranji Trophy, Thakur took 27 wickets in 10 matches with an economy of 3.02. His ability to bowl fast and surprise the batsmen makes him an impressive bowler.
He played for Kings XI Punjab in 2015 edition and could play 1 match. In this year’s edition of IPL, Rising Pune Supergiants purchased him. He performed well taking 11 wickets in 12 matches with best figures of 3/19 at an economy of 8.57 runs per over. Thakur was a selected for West Indies test series last year. Thakur has been the backbone for Mumbai domestic tournament.
Shardul Thakur made his ODI debut in the series against Sri Lanka. He performed well in South Africa A tri-series. Thakur could make his T20I debut soon in the home season.