Former England fast bowler Steve Harmisson admires watching the performances of players like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, acknowledging their exceptional skills have made India a formidable team in all conditions.
Although Shami, currently nursing an ankle injury, is not yet part of the India-England series, he is known for his mastery in seam bowling. Meanwhile, Bumrah showcased his diverse skill set during the second Test by dismantling the England batting lineup with an impressive display of reverse swing.
The second Test has seen a dominance of pacers, with Bumrah achieving his best figures in Indian conditions and James Anderson showcasing his enduring skill despite his advancing age.
"They both have been brilliant. It shows their class. If you got great skill sets, you will survive, you will ask good questions and that is what Anderson and Bumrah have got. They are unbelievable bowlers," Harmison told PTI on February 4.
"In Hyderabad, where Bumrah got Root and Duckett, that was one of most engrossing hours of test cricket you would see in a long long time and in this Test, Anderson and Bumrah have been incredible," said the tall fast bowler, who claimed 226 wickets in 63 Tests and played a crucial role in the iconic Ashes victory of 2005.
The 45-year-old Harmison, who featured in just one Test match on Indian soil and is currently on a commentary assignment, also admires the work of Shami and Siraj.
During his playing career, India did not boast a group of world-class pacers like they do now. As a member of the fast bowling fraternity, Harmison expresses delight at the rapid development of fast bowling in India.
"The skills of Bumrah, Shami and even Siraj, I love watching them bowl. They have a great bowling attack, fantastic spin attack and seam bowlers who can be effective anywhere in the world. That is why there are one of the best team in the world," he reckoned.
Talking about the ongoing five-match series, Harmison believes that the team led by Ben Stokes has a strong likelihood of succeeding.
"The 2005 Ashes was different as it was in England where you have smaller totals and closer games. Here if a team bats first and gets a big score in the first innings it gets difficult (to comeback).”
"If you compare the twos sides they are matched, Ben Stokes has the right outlook to come over here and play positive. They have more chance of winning series over here than they have had in the previous years."
England's last series victory in India dates back to 2012, and since then, the hosts have maintained an unbeaten record at home.
Harmison previously criticised England's choice to train in Abu Dhabi before travelling to India. Despite a remarkable win in the series opener, Harmison's perspective on the matter remains unchanged.
"I made the comments from the preparation point of view. Coming out here, you need some time on the ground and that was it. I still believe coming to India, if you have got bowlers who have not been to India before they need some time to prepare.”
“But there is one thing about this England team. I know how hard they work, I will never ever question that,” Harmison remarked in relation to their inexperienced spin bowling unit.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by PTI)
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