Indian cricketers
ISLAMABAD: Shahid Afridi, the former captain of Pakistan’s cricket team, recently attributed the improved performance of Indian cricketers to two factors. He said their participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and dietary habits that include meat consumption improved their performance.
Afridi, 43, shared his thoughts on a local sports show. He was questioned about the transformation in Indian cricket, which has transitioned from being renowned for producing exceptional batsmen to developing formidable bowlers as well.
He stated, “India boasts a vast population of 1.4 billion, and the quality of cricket has evolved over the years. In the past, it was commonly believed that India excelled in producing exceptional batsmen while Pakistan was known for nurturing talented bowlers. However, this wasn’t entirely accurate, as both nations were fostering talent in both bowling and batting.”
Afridi humorously remarked, “Nevertheless, their bowlers have now incorporated meat into their diets, which has contributed to their increased strength.”
Afridi, who captained the Pakistani team during the 2011 World Cup, credited the Indian Premier League (IPL) and former captains such as Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni for the significant improvements in Indian cricket.
He commented, “Sourav Ganguly brought numerous changes during his captaincy, and MS Dhoni led the senior players effectively. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made wise investments and advancements.”
“They enhanced the grassroots level of cricket by entrusting the entire domestic system to someone like Rahul Dravid, who possesses a deep understanding of what aspiring young players need to reach the highest level. They put in the effort, and now India consistently produces cricket talents. If they wish, India could field two formidable teams,” Afridi added.
While India had historically been less renowned for producing exceptional fast bowlers, the landscape has shifted in recent years, with talents like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj emerging as two of the world’s best pacers.
Afridi noted, “India invested wisely, directing attention towards bowling. They established training camps, and talent continues to emerge.”
It’s worth highlighting that Mohammad Siraj currently holds the top spot in the One Day Internationals (ODIs) bowling rankings. He played a pivotal role in India’s victory in the 2023 Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka. He did his career-best figures of 6-21.
