'Even after playing 100 Tests, Ishant looks like a newcomer to me' - 1983 World Cup winner Balwinder Singh Sandhu

Balwinder Singh Sandhu, 1983 World Cup winner, is not impressed with India’s bowling in the World Test Championship final. Sandhu lambasted India’s most experienced pacer Ishant Sharma and said he looks like a newcomer despite having experience of over 100 Tests. This is Ishant Sharma’s fourth tour to England, having previously toured the country in 2011, 2014, 2018. The lanky pacer returned with figures of 3-69 across two innings of the WTC final. Balwinder said the Indian bowlers should have bowled fuller.

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"The Indians bowled short of length on Sunday but on Tuesday they pitched the ball up. You have to make them play off the front foot. The bowlers may be rusty but you take wickets by pitching it up and letting the batsmen to drive off the front foot. Even after playing 100 Tests, Ishant looks like a newcomer to me. He should be leading the attack but Shami is doing that role. Bumrah, too, was disappointing with the ball not seaming."

The Indians were bundled out for 170 on the final day, giving New Zealand an easy target of 139 to win. A half century from Kane Williamson was enough to take New Zealand home by eight wickets.

India’s highest wicket-taker in the 1983 World Cup, Roger Binni highlighted that India didn’t get their bowling combination right for the World Test Championship final. Binny suggested that India missed seam and swing bowlers as they went for bowlers with express pace.

"I think they did not pick the right bowling line-up. You have to have someone who seams the ball, do a little bit with the ball. That’s what New Zealand did. They are not quicks. They kept bowling the right line and length. You cannot get batsmen out at 90 and 100 speeds but with seam and swing."

India have a stiff task ahead as they face England in a five-match Test series in their next assignment.