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[VIDEOS] Indian pace attack the greatest of all time: Mohammed Shami

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Abdullah719

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Mohammed Shami has claimed that the current Indian pace attack sits right on top of the list of the best of all time, usurping the West Indies quartet of quicks in the 70s or 80s, or the Australian pace bowling units of the 2000s.

“You and everyone else in the world will agree to this, that no team has ever had five fast bowlers together as a package. Not just now, in the history of cricket, this might be the best fast-bowling unit in the world,” the Uttar Pradesh born pacer said.

When asked about whether the Indian pace attack is better than the Windies’ battery of 70s and 80s, Shami, who has 180 wickets from 49 Tests, said that fast bowlers were waiting to take over the scene from the spinners. He said, “We have a bowler on the bench who can work up speeds of 145-48 kph (over 90mph),” said Shami.
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https://www.cricxtasy.com/indian-pace-attack-the-greatest-of-all-time-mohammed-shami/

Interesting claim.
 
India's pace attack is good. Both Bumrah and Shami will walk into Indian all time Test and ODI XI. Umesh Yadav is brilliant at home and Ishant has taken his last 150 wickets at about 25 average.

Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammad Shami
Kapil Dev
Zaheer Khan
Javagal Srinath

Test XI :- Kapil, Zaheer, Shami, Kumble, Bedi/Chandra

ODI XI :- Bumrah, Shami, Zaheer, Kapil, Kuldeep
 
Ab Fan said:
India's pace attack is good. Both Bumrah and Shami will walk into Indian all time Test and ODI XI. Umesh Yadav is brilliant at home and Ishant has taken his last 150 wickets at about 25 average.

Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammad Shami
Kapil Dev
Zaheer Khan
Javagal Srinath

Test XI :- Kapil, Zaheer, Shami, Kumble, Bedi/Chandra

ODI XI :- Bumrah, Shami, Zaheer, Kapil, Kuldeep
Click to expand...

Good for you, but come back to the actual question here; is this the best pace attack the World has ever seen?
 
IAJ said:
Good for you, but come back to the actual question here; is this the best pace attack the World has ever seen?
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I haven't seen the interview(maybe he wanted to say something else lol) but anyways,do u really want an answer for this? :))
 
Jasprit Bumrah is now officially an ODI ATG. In this era, an economy of 4.5 is legendary. Even if he maintain a 27-28 average with this economy, it is ATG-esque stuff.

Shami is brilliant in ODIs as well, particularly with the old bowl. Unfortunately, he is in disadvantage in the modern era because of two new bowl rule which has led to extinct of the reverse swing art.

If we go some time back, Zaheer Khan was the first great Indian bowler who at his peak was brilliant with both the ODI bowl and new bowl. Unlike kapil and Srinath, he was not a workhorse but possessed the skills and pace to produce Jaffa and led the Indian pace attack by pride.

I think in ODIs all time XI, we have an attack to go with four Indian pace bowlers while in tests, it's three of them and two spinners making it a solid attack.
 
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Ab Fan said:
Jasprit Bumrah is now officially an ODI ATG. In this era, an economy of 4.5 is legendary. Even if he maintain a 27-28 average with this economy, it is ATG-esque stuff.

Shami is brilliant in ODIs as well, particularly with the old bowl. Unfortunately, he is in disadvantage in the modern era because of two new bowl rule which has led to extinct of the reverse swing art.

If we go some time back, Zaheer Khan was the first great Indian bowler who at his peak was brilliant with both the ODI bowl and new bowl. Unlike kapil and Srinath, he was not a workhorse but possessed the skills and pace to produce Jaffa and led the Indian pace attack by pride.

I think in ODIs all time XI, we have an attack to go with four Indian pace bowlers while in tests, it's three of them and two spinners making it a solid attack.
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Zaheer Khan is really underrated. For 2007-11 he was one of best strike bowlers in world cricket. Had some splendid series - 2007 England, Australia 2008 & also joint highest wicket taker in WC 2011. also seriously troubled left handers - Greame Smith, Sangakkara & Strauss

Too bad his body gave away after 2011
 
HappyWarsFan said:
Damn, India's standards are low if this is their best ever pace attack :))
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current Indian pace attack sits right on top of the list of the best of all time, usurping the West Indies quartet of quicks in the 70s or 80s, or the Australian pace bowling units of the 2000s.
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Not just Indian, the best of all time apparently.
 
Lol I think he meant best in the world currently.

No way he's that delusional. :))
 
The West Indies pace attack in 1982, including only players as old as Shaheen Shah Afridi now:

1. Malcolm Marshall
2. Michael Holding
3. Andy Roberts
4. Colin Croft (Bumrah level)
5. Wayne Daniel
6. Winston Davis
7. Sylvester Clarke
8. Franklyn Stephenson
9. Ezra Moseley (Shami level)
10. Courtney Walsh
11. Patrick Patterson
12. Hartley Alleyne
13. Rod Estwick (Ishant level)
14. Eldine Baptiste

I have excluded Milton Small and Tony Gray for being slightly too young.

Forget the full West Indies team. The Rebel Tours to South Africa had a much better pace attack than India!
 
If he meant India’s greatest attack of all time then yes, but world’s greatest then No, not even close.
 
Junaids said:
The West Indies pace attack in 1982, including only players as old as Shaheen Shah Afridi now:

1. Malcolm Marshall
2. Michael Holding
3. Andy Roberts
4. Colin Croft (Bumrah level)
5. Wayne Daniel
6. Winston Davis
7. Sylvester Clarke
8. Franklyn Stephenson
9. Ezra Moseley (Shami level)
10. Courtney Walsh
11. Patrick Patterson
12. Hartley Alleyne
13. Rod Estwick (Ishant level)
14. Eldine Baptiste

I have excluded Milton Small and Tony Gray for being slightly too young.

Forget the full West Indies team. The Rebel Tours to South Africa had a much better pace attack than India!
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Fella called Garner might question your list....
 
He probably meant India's best pace attack ever. Which is true given their collective form over the last 2 years ( except for the recent NZ tour when they were very mediocre - probably due to fatigue )

But they need to maintain their current form for next 2-3 years to leave a legacy similar to West Indies pace attacks of 80s

The forthcoming Australia trip in Dec-Jan will be crucial. If Bumrah-Ishant-Shami can bowl out Australia regularly for 250-300 scores like in 20018-19 , then they will have good shout as one of the top pace attacks of all time. But it wont be easy with Warner & Smith back & Marnus Labuschagne in top form. I just hope the pitches are competitve like in 2018-19 and not as dead as in 2014-15 tour. Then it will be great contest between their batters & our bowlers. My only concern is Jasprit Bumrah's form. Hope he is back to his pre-injury form
 
Greatest bowler by far in this generation.

But I think as an attack we are among Top 5 best ever , not the greatest ever. That would be Pakistan in 1996-2000.
 
What an absolute load of rubbish.

Nowhere near the best ever.
 
To be fair to him when your picking a world xi the bowlers that come to mind:

McGrath
Marshall
Akram
Shammy
Warne
 
Way too much blue koolaid. Is he worried about the CAA bill?

This isn’t even the best fast bowling attack of its generation.

Not the best bowling attack of the subcontinent.

Best fast bowling attack of India absolutely it is.
 
NishanKonar said:
He probably meant India's best pace attack ever. Which is true given their collective form over the last 2 years ( except for the recent NZ tour when they were very mediocre - probably due to fatigue )

But they need to maintain their current form for next 2-3 years to leave a legacy similar to West Indies pace attacks of 80s

The forthcoming Australia trip in Dec-Jan will be crucial. If Bumrah-Ishant-Shami can bowl out Australia regularly for 250-300 scores like in 20018-19 , then they will have good shout as one of the top pace attacks of all time. But it wont be easy with Warner & Smith back & Marnus Labuschagne in top form. I just hope the pitches are competitve like in 2018-19 and not as dead as in 2014-15 tour. Then it will be great contest between their batters & our bowlers. My only concern is Jasprit Bumrah's form. Hope he is back to his pre-injury form
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I initially thought the same thing. But the interviewer seems to be shocked too and is seen trying to double check by referencing the Windies attack.
 
Mesozoic said:
Lol I think he meant best in the world currently.

No way he's that delusional. :))
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Even currently I would say Cummins, Hazelwood and Starc have atleast a claim to that. You can argue about who is better but not many would claim that this Indian attack is in a diferent league to the Aussie one. So 'all time' is long way to go.
 
NishanKonar said:
He probably meant India's best pace attack ever. Which is true given their collective form over the last 2 years ( except for the recent NZ tour when they were very mediocre - probably due to fatigue )

But they need to maintain their current form for next 2-3 years to leave a legacy similar to West Indies pace attacks of 80s

The forthcoming Australia trip in Dec-Jan will be crucial. If Bumrah-Ishant-Shami can bowl out Australia regularly for 250-300 scores like in 20018-19 , then they will have good shout as one of the top pace attacks of all time. But it wont be easy with Warner & Smith back & Marnus Labuschagne in top form. I just hope the pitches are competitve like in 2018-19 and not as dead as in 2014-15 tour. Then it will be great contest between their batters & our bowlers. My only concern is Jasprit Bumrah's form. Hope he is back to his pre-injury form
Click to expand...

Shami in particular has failed in the 2 of recent 3 tough away tours

Averaged 39 in England in 2018 and then 37 in NZ on the recent tour.
 
All said and done; it is a pretty solid pace attack and best out of Asia in a while.

Amir-Asif-Wahab/Gul 2010 England trio were arguably much more talented but they didnt even complete one tour as an attack so hard to put in same bracket.
 
back in 2006, I thought Pakistan could have had the best bowling attack in the world with Asif, Akhtar and Rana Navid.

Rana is a bit underrated here, the guy bowled beautifully with the new ball and he took so many wickets for Sussex as an overseas. Add either Gul or Sami to that trio and you would have such an amazing bowling attack. However the injuries and disciplinary issues meant that they hardly ever played together.

Bumrah
Shami
Buvi
Ishant

V
Akhtar
Asif
Rana
Gul

Tough one but on paper it has to be Akhtar and Asif> Indian current attack.
 
Shami is being a silly billy here but if he said something like Bumrah is a better bowler than Wasim Akram, I would agree with him.
 
Thomaskutty said:
Shami is being a silly billy here but if he said something like Bumrah is a better bowler than Wasim Akram, I would agree with him.
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Bumrah isn’t even a better bowler than Shoaib Akhtar yet. Lambi Lambi mat chorain

He may end up becoming better most legendary Pakistani bowlers but he still has a long way to go.
 
Rana said:
Bumrah isn’t even a better bowler than Shoaib Akhtar yet. Lambi Lambi mat chorain
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Bumrah likely has the higher performance peaks at this stage of his career when compared to Wasim/Waqar/Imran at this age.
 
Thomaskutty said:
Bumrah likely has the higher performance peaks at this stage of his career when compared to Wasim/Waqar/Imran at this age.
Click to expand...

Bumrah has played 14 Tests. With his action; he would be lucky to reach Shoaib's 46 Tests
 
Bumrah is good bowler but remember most of his world class performances came against very weak batting lineups Australia and Windies he was good against SA averaging 25.×× but remember SSA who was decent in SA tour averaged 26.xx so comparing bumrah currently with greats is nothing but stupidly
 
Lol bull. Only team with 5. How does Marshall, Roberts, Holding, Garner, Croft, Clarke sound
 
Well we have got a decent bowling attack for the first time in our history and we are hyping it up to be greatest of all time. Mind you we have yet to win any final with this attack in LOI tournaments and test series in England, South Africa and New Zealand. It seems winning away series against depleted Aussie team has really gone to our head. :inti
 
Thomaskutty said:
Shami is being a silly billy here but if he said something like Bumrah is a better bowler than Wasim Akram, I would agree with him.
Click to expand...

Indians smoking that high quality stuff. Let
me get some of the hallucinogens. Equatable to Babar being better than Sachin because his 100s have already won more games than Sachin’s ever did. Prove me wrong.
 
indians should never talk about fast bowling. they should zip it.They know nothing about fast bowling. country of trundlers.
 
I thought it said Sami For a second in the title, that would’ve made even less sense.
 
The fact is that it is clearly written on wisden that mohd shami was talking about indias greatest pace bowling attack not the world's. He is 100% correct about it. :inti
 
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sshakir411 said:
Indians smoking that high quality stuff. Let
me get some of the hallucinogens. Equatable to Babar being better than Sachin because his 100s have already won more games than Sachin’s ever did. Prove me wrong.
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Hmm sorry what ? :virat
 
sshakir411 said:
Indians smoking that high quality stuff. Let
me get some of the hallucinogens. Equatable to Babar being better than Sachin because his 100s have already won more games than Sachin’s ever did. Prove me wrong.
Click to expand...

Pakistanis are proud of their rich bowling legacy but it would be funny if one indian bowler with a quirky action, who arose from a t20 pedigree, eclipsed them. Be very worried [MENTION=49505]sshakir411[/MENTION]

As for Babar, he hasn't exactly set the world alight like SRT did early on his career, has he? Maybe pull out the stats and make your case.
 
Thomaskutty said:
Pakistanis are proud of their rich bowling legacy but it would be funny if one indian bowler with a quirky action, who arose from a t20 pedigree, eclipsed them. Be very worried [MENTION=49505]sshakir411[/MENTION]

As for Babar, he hasn't exactly set the world alight like SRT did early on his career, has he? Maybe pull out the stats and make your case.
Click to expand...

Lol babars start to his international career has been significantly better than sachins. It’s literally not even a debate and I’m surprised you don’t know. Ofcourse there’s manu variables primarily Sachin being 16 but Sachin didn’t set the world alight in his initial years. It took him a while to even register first Century
 
Slog said:
Lol babars start to his international career has been significantly better than sachins. It’s literally not even a debate and I’m surprised you don’t know. Ofcourse there’s manu variables primarily Sachin being 16 but Sachin didn’t set the world alight in his initial years. It took him a while to even register first Century
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Actually he did. Hit Abdul Qadir for 3 sixes in 1 over at 16, match saving test century in England at 17, 2 test tons in Australia at 18, and 1 in South Africa at age of 19. No bad figures for someone below age of 20 ! Lots of guys did not score so many tons in SENA in their entire career

His ODI figures were mediocre till 1994 but that was bcoz he batted mostly at 5 & 6 till early 1994 before he was allowed to open. He scored 84 of 48 balls in his first ODI as opener and since then never looked back. Just like Rohit Sharma's career took off after he became opener in 2013
 
Honestly speaking, Mohammad Shami would have been ATG if he played in some other era, reverse swing has become extinct today.
 
Slog said:
Lol babars start to his international career has been significantly better than sachins. It’s literally not even a debate and I’m surprised you don’t know. Ofcourse there’s manu variables primarily Sachin being 16 but Sachin didn’t set the world alight in his initial years. It took him a while to even register first Century
Click to expand...

You can't really compare Sachin to other players from when they debuted. Sachin hit his peak at age of 19(1993) and his best years were 1993-2002(19-28 age) and then 2007-11(32-36 age) while Babar, like most batsmen, has hit his peak at 25.

At Babar's current age, Sachin's comparison with Bradman had started. On other hand, Babar has hit his peak at same age as Ponting, de Villiers and Amla hit their peak except that Ponting's peak was one of the best ever.
 
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I think he was talking about India only in which case like I have said before this is the best package of quick bowlers India has ever had. Individually they are nothing great and will not go down as ATG etc and will not make any all time world sides in future but as a group they are well disciplined and has done a good job for India.

Bumrah is 50% there in terms of being T20 / ODI great in tests he has played 1 year another 9 to go before we can judge.
 
jeeteshssaxena said:
The fact is that it is clearly written on wisden that mohd shami was talking about indias greatest pace bowling attack not the world's. He is 100% correct about it. :inti
Click to expand...

The original outlet published an article that states exactly how everyone else has understood it. Wisden's article is the first one stating anything different.

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

This is the exact given quote.
 
There should be a separate section on the forum for Jokes even if they are cricket related.

There’s at least a couple of good joke threads I’ve seen recently including the following :

“I’ve been justifying my selection with performances for 17-18 years, says Hafeez”,

And now this thread is even more amusing.
 
Hahahahaha wow Indians are do delusional they have a decent attack for their Indian standards and now they claim their the greatest attack of all time hahahahaha
 
Pakhs said:
I think he was talking about India only in which case like I have said before this is the best package of quick bowlers India has ever had. Individually they are nothing great and will not go down as ATG etc and will not make any all time world sides in future but as a group they are well disciplined and has done a good job for India.

Bumrah is 50% there in terms of being T20 / ODI great in tests he has played 1 year another 9 to go before we can judge.
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Correct. U need at least 300 test wickets in ur kitty to even merit a discussion on ATG status. Bumrah is still way of the mark
 
Ab Fan said:
Honestly speaking, Mohammad Shami would have been ATG if he played in some other era, reverse swing has become extinct today.
Click to expand...

This is true. One reason reverse swing has become extinct even in test cricket is excess scrutiny by tv cameras 5. Its impossible to even scratch the ball with nails like Waqar & Wasim did in 1992 in England or use mints & lozenges like England did in 2005. Else look at reverse swing Shami got in his early test matches - he wud have got 300 test wickets by now

ps I totally support limited ball tampering using nails or mints like it used to be 15-20 years back. Watching reverse swing is one of the finest things in world cricket
 
Thomaskutty said:
Pakistanis are proud of their rich bowling legacy but it would be funny if one indian bowler with a quirky action, who arose from a t20 pedigree, eclipsed them. Be very worried [MENTION=49505]sshakir411[/MENTION]

As for Babar, he hasn't exactly set the world alight like SRT did early on his career, has he? Maybe pull out the stats and make your case.
Click to expand...

We’ll talk stats when the Indian bowler gets to 100 test wickets. Until then keep getting high.
 
No way they are an ATG attack let alone beging he greatest. For that you have to do it longer and pace unit has just 2-3 years of performance.

They are very good bowling unit and based on gun spin attack, they are
probably the best in world to cover all conditions.
 
Slog said:
Lol babars start to his international career has been significantly better than sachins. It’s literally not even a debate and I’m surprised you don’t know. Ofcourse there’s manu variables primarily Sachin being 16 but Sachin didn’t set the world alight in his initial years. It took him a while to even register first Century
Click to expand...

He climbed to rank one in test format at 21 years of age with many tons agaisnt gun attacks away from home.

In ODI format, he didn't get tons for long time and it was mainly due to him playing at 6th spot.
 
Ab Fan said:
You can't really compare Sachin to other players from when they debuted. Sachin hit his peak at age of 19(1993) and his best years were 1993-2002(19-28 age) and then 2007-11(32-36 age) while Babar, like most batsmen, has hit his peak at 25.

At Babar's current age, Sachin's comparison with Bradman had started. On other hand, Babar has hit his peak at same age as Ponting, de Villiers and Amla hit their peak except that Ponting's peak was one of the best ever.
Click to expand...

Ok. Firstly, Im not claiming Babar is or will be better than Sachin.

Point is that whatever metrics were used to claim Bumah is better than Wasim can be used to claim that Babar is better than Sachin.

Also, Using your own logic of age then at the age of 26, Wasim Akram had 150+ Test wickets whereas Bumrah only has 68. That alone should be disqualifier for him for such a conversation
 
He is right though. India only have had 3 quality bowlers in three different eras prior to 2018.

Bumrah and Shami were overbowled in limited overs, thats why they couldnt be successdul in the tests against new zealand
 
Slog said:
As I said earlier, this:
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"Bumrah is better than Wasim" is an opinionated statement. It may sound really silly but you can't outright refute it. At best may be circumstantially so it's down to one's individual choice.

Whereas "Babar's 100s have won more games than Sachin's ever did" is a statement that can be refuted factually. You could say "Babar is better than Sachin" and it would mean you rate him above Sachin in your personal opinion but giving "factually" false statements like the one above to push your statements isn't the same thing.
 
Done well from his side - 3 wickets so far.
 
Sometimes people make absurd comments just to get tongues wagging. Firstly all the current Indian bowlers are medium fast bowlers at best not genuine/express fast. The current lot combined are no way near the best attack of all time for goodness sake. These claims are not even worthy of a serious debate.
 
PakLFC said:
Sometimes people make absurd comments just to get tongues wagging. Firstly all the current Indian bowlers are medium fast bowlers at best not genuine/express fast. The current lot combined are no way near the best attack of all time for goodness sake. These claims are not even worthy of a serious debate.
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If they pickup wickets with medium fast bowling then we are happy . Only pakistan fans are need 150Kmp Naseem shah type phasst bowlers .
 
To say this Indian pace attack is the best off all time is ridiculous. Yes although you may be happy they are still not fast bowlers.
 
Yes they are not ,we all know that . But if they can win a series in England ( Current) & South Africa later this year then they have chance to become one of best attacks of all time .
 
Never! To be considered as one of or even the best attack of all time they need to dominate for many years. They need to win away everywhere including Pak that can not happen at the moment for obvious reasons. This attack simply can't be compared to the great West Indian, Aussie and Pak attacks or yesteryear. Typical Indian fans getting carried away so easily.
 
Which pakistan pace attacks won a series in England , South Africa & Australia in same year ? None
As i said if India bowlers win a series in England & South Africa this year then they have chance to become one of best not best ever . Check last 3 year record of every country Pacers you will get your answer
 
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I did not say same year. Yeah I know Pak never won in Australia or even the RSA but they were a great attack remembered until this day. No one is gonna remember this Indian attack in tow years time or something. There will be injuries and loss of form as well as new faces challenging their place in the side. Nope, they don't convince me whatsoever.
 
Every one remeber them if they win a series in Australia , England & South Africa in a same year apart from delusion Pakistan fans .
BTW have you checked record of bowlers of each country past 3-4 years?
 
Have they won in England or the RSA in one year?? Have they won in Pakistan the home of the arch enemy? How about New Zealand or the Windies I don't remember. No one is gonna remember them other then your type of fans.
 
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I think this Test cycle should put things in perspective, India play Eng and SA away from home, and if they manage to win both series they should be up there amongst the most successful teams and pace attacks. I dont like to compare eras. But for this generation, they will be rated amongst the best along with NZ. ( Aus and Eng pace bowlers to fade is my prediction)
 
PakLFC said:
Have they won in England or the RSA in one year?? Have they won in Pakistan the home of the arch enemy? How about New Zealand or the Windies I don't remember. No one is gonna remember them other then your type of fans.
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First try to read what was im saying " if They can win current England series and next south africa tour later this year "then they can be called one of best attack ever not the best ever .
 
PakLFC said:
Have they won in England or the RSA in one year?? Have they won in Pakistan the home of the arch enemy? How about New Zealand or the Windies I don't remember. No one is gonna remember them other then your type of fans.
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If BCCI bothers to play PCB, India would smash Pakistan like no tomorrow.

Winning in Pakistan means anything to India anymore. They are lightyears ahead of us. We need to stop pretending that we are still India’s rivals - we aren’t, they have moved on from our level.

This is India’s greatest bowling attack ever. Even their reserve bowlers are top notch, which is why they won in Australia against their full-strength lineup, something that no other reserve bowling attack can do.
 
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