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India's bowling attack is the best in the world, reckons Sachin Tendulkar

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Last updated on 17 Aug 2021 | 11:34 AM
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India's bowling attack is the best in the world, reckons Sachin Tendulkar

The batting great also added that he was surprised with Joe Root's decision to bowl first at Lord's

Batting great Sachin Tendulkar reckons that the current Indian bowling attack is the best in the world. India completed a comprehensive 151-run win over England at lord's t go 1-0 up in the five-match series. All 20 wickets were once again picked up by the pacers, as they did in the first Test at Trent Bridge.

Asked about how this attack fared compared to the previous eras, Tendulkar said in an exclusive interview to PTI said, "Today this bowling attack is the best in the world. It's a reflection of talent, discipline and ability to work hard on fitness and wanting to learn more." 

"I don't like comparisons across eras because bowling attacks should also be judged by batters who are batting against them. Be it during Kapil's or Srinath's or Zaheer's generation, there were different batsmen facing them."

Tendulkar also praised Mohammed Siraj given the impact he has had in his short career since making his Test debut at the Boxing Day Test last year. The former India skipper feels Siraj has figured out how to construct an over.

"Siraj is a quick learner and adapts well to situations. He has come across as a fast learner. Fast bowlers have a period where they develop very quickly. You look at them and you know they are different bowlers now," Tendulkar said.

"They have that window where they develop and that window is at the moment with Siraj. He has developed very quickly. When I saw him in MCG last year to now, what strikes is the fact that Siraj has learnt how to construct an over, how to bowl a spell. That ability to think is critical. He has spring in his strides and gives his hundred percent every time," he added.

Speaking of England, Tendulkar is of the opinion that only Joe Root seems to be the only player from the team who looks like scoring big every time.

Tendulkar said, "This England team has had a history of collapses. I felt that is where they lost the grip and if you look at their batting, how many batters can one say, this guy can come out and get a big hundred? In this team, I don't see anyone other than Joe Root. Teams of past had a number of such players whether Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, Andrew Strauss."

"Yes they might get an odd hundred but how many can get big hundreds consistently? Other than Root, I can't find anyone and that's the state of their batting today," he further added.

A veteran of 200 Tests, Tendulkar was also surprised with Root's decision to bowl first after winning the toss. 

"When I saw Joe Root putting India in after winning the toss, I was really surprised and I felt that in itself was an indication that England was worried about our fast bowling attack. I actually shared a message with a friend on Friday morning around 8 am that if the weather allows us, we are winning this Test match," Tendulkar said.

"The surface looked dry to me later on, because you could see that first ball from Mohammed Siraj's new spell took off from good length and hit Ollie Robinson on the chest. That was clear indication that the surface had over-dried and hence the ball took off from there. Bowling first wasn't an ideal decision by the England captain and credit to our openers, they were brilliant," Tendulkar, the leading run-getter in Tests and ODIs added.

The action now shifts to Headingley for the third Test between England and India, starting August 25.

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