‘India will need to discuss Shami, Ashwin futures and lay out a plan’: Paras Mhambrey

Departing India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey reckons it is crucial to discuss Mohammed Shami and Ravichandran Ashwin’s future and lay out a plan for the bowling duo. Shami, 33, recently underwent knee surgery and could not be part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad.

Ashwin, 37, represents India mostly in Test cricket. However, both Shami and Ashwin have performed consistently over the years for Indian cricket and it won’t be easy to fill in their big shoes once they decide to retire.

Both the veteran bowlers are expected to return to action in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh.

“It’s important to have those discussions with Shami and Ashwin about their future plans and then lay out a plan. When we decided to invest in youth, we made sure they were not alone in the park shouldering all responsibilities. Be it Arshdeep or Avesh, we made sure they were always bowling alongside senior bowlers,” said Mhambrey in an interview with TOI.

Meanwhile, citing Arshdeep Singh’s example, Mhambrey reckons it takes four to five years for a fast bowler to peak after playing at the Under-19 level.

“You can’t put a timeline on that. You have to be patient with it. We started in 2015 and we had that pool by 2020. If you look at Arshdeep’s evolution, he played in the U-19 World Cup in 2018 and he was representing India in 2022 before really becoming an integral part in 2024. A young pace bowler takes four-five years to hit his peak. You can’t simply rush them through,” said Mhambrey.

India will next tour Sri Lanka for three T20Is and as many ODIs, which will be Gautam Gambhir’s first assignment as the new head coach. The BCCI is yet to name a new batting and bowling coach.