Ishant Sharma has emerged as a key strike bowler for India.
The legendary Sachin Tendulkar feels India has headed to the gruelling tour of England with "the most complete fast-bowling attack in many many years", a "luxury" that was not there during his 24 years in international cricket.
India are starting their nearly three-month tour of United Kingdom with two T20 Internationals in Ireland from June 27 but all eyes will be on the five-Test series starting August 1 in Birmingham. (Also Read: Team India is enjoying its 'London Summer' ahead of tough challenge)
"This is the most complete fast-bowling attack that India have had in many many years. In my assessment, this attack would go as one of the best," Tendulkar told PTI during an exclusive interaction.
The maestro, who played an incredible 200 Tests in his illustrious career, said even though India have had some quality seamers they never had the "luxury" of such a varied battery. (Also Read: Sourav Ganguly believes Virat Kohli will make amends in England tour)
"We have the luxury where we have a swing bowler (Bhuvneshwar Kumar), a tall bowler (Ishant Sharma), a skiddy bowler (Jasprit Bumrah) and a genuine quick bowler (Umesh Yadav). It is a nice combination to have with so much variation on offer," Tendulkar said.
During the major part of his career, Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan spearheaded the Indian pace attacks. So does he rate this attack as more potent than some of those during his playing days? Tendulkar replied: "Yeah, I am taking that into account that (attacks of yesteryears) as well because of a reason. We have got Bhuvi, who can bat and also Hardik with good batting ability."
However, he didn't want to comment on what kind of combination India should play.
"I think the team management would have to assess which opposition batsman is comfortable against what kind of bowling. There will be a few, who would play the swing bowling well and some will have the technique of dealing with deliveries that move off the pitch. You have to pick the team accordingly," he said.
The highest scorer in Tests and ODIs paid rich compliments to Bhuvneshwar terming him as the man, who can tilt the balance of power in India's favour with his all-round abilities.
"The current India team is constantly looking at seamers, who can contribute with the bat big time. I think these two guys (Bhuvneshwar and Hardik) have contributed crucial runs every now and then.
"Hardik has just got into the side but I think Bhuvi contributing brilliantly and that contribution changes the balance of the team in a positive manner," Tendulkar explained.
"It's good to have batsmen who can bowl four-five overs but even better if we have bowlers, who can score those crucial runs. The kind of contributions that can help you move forward," he stated.
Tendulkar has been a part of five-Test series in England (1990, 1996, 2002, 2007, 2011) and with his vast knowledge about the English weather and pitches, he is expecting a "pleasant weather" during India's current tour.
"I think there should be good wickets. It also depends on the kind of summer they have. No one wants to play in wet and cold conditions. I am expecting good bright summer conducive for good cricket," the legend said.
One of the aspects that will work in India's favour is the fact that the Test series will start only in August and by that time the visitors would have spent a whole month in England.
"I think going early will prove to be an advantage. By the time the Test series starts, India would have spent five weeks in England with a lot of match practice. It would help the team to get into the groove," he concluded.
(With PTI Inputs)
