India has achieved the numero uno status in ICC Test ranking mainly because of their batting consistency and now the bowlers also have to prove their mettle to ensure the country doesn't get toppled from the pinnacle, feels former paceman Manoj Prabhakar.
"We are winning because of our batting and not because of our bowling. Look at the batting structure of our team, there is so much variety and so many explosive and responsible batsmen. But our bowling department is not that great," said Prabhakar.
"We have attained the No 1 ranking in Test and also very near to close that gap in ODIs. But frankly, we can't maintain that top position for long given the standard of the pace department we have. If our bowlers don't improve their performance, others would get past easily," he added.
"Our bowlers fail to rise to the occasion when situation demands and the work of our coaches start right at that point. When they start their career, they perform with full aggression and get everybody's praise, but they fail to continue with the momentum," Prabhakar said.
Prabhakar also praised Ishant Sharma and Irfan Pathan but said they needed proper guidance.
"Ishant is a fantastic bowler, who reached a certain level of excellence but then failed to extend it. He failed to bring on his experience in pressure situations and has become slow and needs a bit correction.
"And Irfan took batting seriously rather than bowling in a bid to become an all-rounder. For him bowling became the secondary thing, which was the main weapon in his arsenal," Prabhakar added.
Prabhakar, who has 96 wickets from 39 Tests, also praised coach Gary Kirsten for doing a good job but advised the South African to interact more with the players to ascertain their problems.
"Gary Kirsten is a very good coach and I have highest regard for him. He should interact with players and make them understand where they are lacking and what is missing from their arsenal or what more needs to be added. They need to be corrected from time to time," he said.
"There is a responsibility on coaches to discuss every match with the players. Discuss injury-related problems or their weaknesses. Try to correct it in the games ahead," he added.
