Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Ganguly credits fitness for India's fast bowling rise

India's cricket chief Sourav Ganguly says improved fitness standards and a change in culture have led to the country developing one of the world's best pace attacks.

Spearheads Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are part of a battery of five formidable quick bowlers that have helped change India's traditional reliance on spin bowling.


"You know culture has changed in India that we can be good fast bowlers," Ganguly said in a chat hosted on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Twitter feed.

"Fitness regimes, fitness standards not only just among fast bowlers but also among the batters, that has changed enormously.

"That has made everyone understand and believe that we are fit, we are strong and we can also bowl fast like the others did."

The West Indies dominated world cricket in the 1970s and 1980s led by a fearsome pace attack that included all-time greats such as Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall and Joel Garner.

Recently Indian quicks have risen to the top in world cricket with Shami, Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in a deadly arsenal.

"The West Indies in my generation were naturally strong," the former India captain said.

"We Indians were never such naturally strong... but we worked hard to get strong. But I think it is the change in culture as well that is very important."

Shami last month claimed that the current Indian pace attack may be the best in Test history.

"You and everyone else in the world will agree to this -- that no team has ever had five fast bowlers together as a package," said Shami.

"Not just now, in the history of cricket, this might be the best fast-bowling unit in the world."

Shami took 13 wickets during India's 3-0 home Test sweep over South Africa last year, while Bumrah has claimed 68 scalps in 14 Tests since his debut.

More For You

Raveena Tandon

PETA India picks Raveena Tandon as Person of the Year after her stand against cruelty to animals

Rohn Pingalay

Raveena Tandon named PETA India Person of the Year for her direct action on animal cruelty and wildlife safety

Highlights:

  • Raveena Tandon named PETA India’s 2025 Person of the Year.
  • Recognised for advocacy on wildlife, community animals, and vegan living.
  • Partnered with PETA India on humane education and Compassionate Citizen programme.
  • Rescued stray animals and promoted adoption over buying pets.
  • Actively campaigned against animal cruelty in entertainment, industry, and local wildlife issues.

Bollywood actor Raveena Tandon has been named PETA India’s 2025 Person of the Year for her dedication to animal welfare and plant-based living. The award recognises her ongoing work protecting wildlife, supporting community animals, and promoting empathy for all living beings.

PETA India picks Raveena Tandon as Person of the Year after her stand against cruelty to animals Rohn Pingalay

Keep ReadingShow less