'It is hard to find one' - Irfan Pathan feels that India lack a quality fast bowling all-rounder

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has opined that the Indian cricket team needs one more batsman in the side. Pathan also felt that the Virat Kohli-led outfit should also look for a quality fast bowling all-rounder as well.

Pathan further delved deep into what went wrong for the Indian side in the summit clash of the World Test Championship (WTC) against the Kiwis. The left-arm pacer felt that India put up a disappointing performance in their second innings with the willow.

Pathan also opined that the ball was not swinging when the Indian willow wielders came out to bat in the second innings, and the Indian batsmen should have played with more responsibility.

“I think India played with fewer batsmen – which I highlighted before the ICC World Test Championship Final. I feel there was a need for one more batsman in the team. We do not have quality fast-bowling all-arounder – which New Zealand possesses – and it is hard to find one.

Now, if we talk from a proper cricketing point of view – what went wrong for India? I think the first inning went great, but Team India’s batting in the second inning was disappointing. The ball wasn’t swinging as much in the second inning, and Indian batsmen could have batted more responsibly,” said Pathan on the show Follow The Blues.

Indian batsmen displayed a lack of commitment: Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan further added that the Indian batsmen should play with a sense of responsibility. He even stated that the way the Indian batsmen tackled bouncers displayed a lack of commitment.

Pathan went on to state that the Indian bowlers were tired when India started fielding in the second innings against the Black Caps and opined that the Indian side lacked match practice coming into the WTC Final.

“I am aware of Rishabh Pant’s capabilities as a batsman and how he can hit balls very well, but that does not mean you hit a fast bowler outside – a sense of responsibility was required. Indian batters were using a lot of pull shots on bouncers; instead of using their body and this showed a lack of commitment.

By the time we (India) started fielding for the second session, our bowlers were already tired. This happened because India didn’t get enough match practice. When a team gets less match practice, they don’t have the kind of match fitness required for a particular game. I feel this will improve eventually,” said Pathan.

The 36-year-old concluded by stating that the Indian bowlers should have bowled more bouncers, emulating New Zealand left-arm pacer Neil Wagner.

“I think Indian bowlers should’ve opted for more bouncers – the way Neil Wagner did. And improvement is required in length because we witnessed a lot of cut shots and back-foot punches from Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor,” concluded Pathan.