In Indian cricket, left-arm pacers have become a rare commodity. One cannot really count, decent 2-3 bowlers, who could be in the mix to make it to the national side. Or it is just the case of — selectors not putting enough faith in them. India suffered a 1-3 defeat in Australia in the Test series, and one of the reasons for their failure could be — no variation in the bowling attack, where none of the pacers were left-armers.
Arzan Nagwaswalla for IND vs ENG T20Is?
Yes, there is a certain Arshdeep Singh, but beyond that, the selectors have been reluctant to rope in Gujarat’s domestic giant Arzan Nagwaswalla. He was once named in India’s Test squad for the England series, but hasn’t played any match for India. But the performances have been steady from him.
In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, Arzan Nagwaswalla has been excellent. In just 7 matches, he has picked up 14 wickets, at an average of 18, and an economy of 5. In 5 Ranji Trophy matches so far in the season, he has picked 15 wickets at an average of 30. And in 6 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches, he ended up bagging 13 wickets, at an average of 16.
India Needs to Groom Young Pacers
So, why shouldn’t Nagwaswalla be given a chance in the limited-overs series against England, starting Jan 22. There will be 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs in the series, and at least for the shortest version, the 27-year-old should be considered. Overall too, he boasts of an excellent record in the LIST A and T20 career.
In the 50-over format, in 44 matches, he has picked up 77 wickets and in T20s, he has 61 scalps in 39 matches. This, without getting a chance to be picked up by an IPL franchise. The youngster makes an excellent case to be momentarily be part of the Indian setup, who would definitely be looking at pacers who are different — or are left-handed. The management can’t just rely on Arshdeep Singh, to be the only solution to left-arm pacers.
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In fact, Nagwaswalla can be groomed to be a Test bowler, that even Arshdeep hasn’t managed so far. And he has excellent numbers there too. In 37 matches, he has picked up 132 wickets, at an average of 25. In the England T20I series, where most of the senior bowlers will be absent, it would only be fair, that the selectors reward domestic performances and not just depend on IPL brilliance.
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