'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif highlighted the need for proper bowlers after the ODI series against South Africa. The Men in Blue won the final match on Saturday, December 6, and sealed the series 2-1.
Bowling first, they restricted the Proteas to 270 all out in 47.5 overs. Kaif acknowledged the fact that the bowlers put up a fine performance. He reckoned that pacers Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna playing all games in the series was crucial to their growth. However, Kaif expressed his disappointment with the squad.
He called out the lack of a fourth pacer in the side. While Nitish Kumar Reddy was on the bench, the former batter stated that Reddy could not be counted as an all-rounder or a fourth pacer.
Trending
"India bowled well today, no doubt. Arshdeep did well. Harshit is improving. Prasidh got wickets but his economy will still be high as he is still understanding his game and has to become a complete bowler. These bowlers got the advantage of playing these three games. But I was not happy with this squad as there was no fourth fast bowler. There was no backup. Reddy is not an all-rounder. Reddy is not a third seamer," he said on his YouTube channel.
Prasidh ended the series with seven wickets but had an economy of 7.80. Arshdeep bagged five wickets at an average of 30.80 and an economy of 5.50. Harshit also chipped in with four wickets. Nonetheless, India won the first game by a close margin of 17 runs, defending 349. They lost the second game, failing to defend 358. Therefore, it showcased Kaif's point of having an extra proper bowler in the squad despite the series win.
Mohammad Kaif credits India captain and Head Coach
Meanwhile, Mohammad Kaif also credited India captain KL Rahul and Head Coach Gautam Gambhir. He reckoned that Gambhir benefited from having a senior player like Rahul as captain, who did an exceptional job. Kaif added that with a new captain and a new team, the pressure was more on Gambhir. Hence, having senior players in the side would help him.
"Where credit has to be due it will be given also. They dropped Sundar and it was a good call. That is why I feel Gambhir will actually benefit if there senior players with him. With a new captain, a young team, as a new coach, there is a lot of load," he said.
He also praised the choices made by Rahul and Gambhir in the team selection. Kaif highlighted how Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, and Yashasvi Jaiswal were backed throughout the series.
"The team that played in this series in KL's captaincy and Gambhir's coaching, both are worthy of praise. You played Gaikwad and he did well. Prasidh was backed and he did well. Jaiswal was backed and he did well. Tilak played as they realised the need for a proper batter. So both of them deserve praise here. A lot of right things have happened in this series."
Gaikwad scored a hundred in the second game. Jaiswal scored a ton, and Prasidh bagged four wickets in the series decider.
Follow IPL Auction 2025 Live Updates, News & Biddings at Sportskeeda. Get the fastest updates on Mega-Auction and cricket news
