Paras Mhambrey, India’s bowling coach over the last few years, who was with the team during the victorious T20 World Cup campaign, shares his thoughts on his tenure and the win with RevSportz
Q How was your stint as the bowling coach for the Indian team?
A It was rewarding, fruitful, and satisfying. When I say satisfying, I do not mean just the win but the journey I have had for the last couple of years, with all those different tournaments and series. Dealing with the highs and lows, we were nearly there and could not cross over. The 50-over World Cup was a collective heartbreak, but other than that, there has been a lot of satisfaction. I got an opportunity to work with the best in the world and to contribute, so it really cannot get better.
Q How would you sum up the performance of the bowlers in the World Cup?
A Very proud, of course. One of the things that stood out was the fact that every individual contributed when needed. I think that is very important, and when you have tournaments like this, you know it’s going to be challenging. Playing abroad and also getting used to the different conditions. One half is in the US, which has a different challenge, and then moving to the West Indies, which is another challenge altogether. What was heartening to see in every game was that somebody contributed from the bowling department, and that is the discussion we have always had. There will always be someone who might shine on a particular day, but it is essential that everyone contributes. Just to add a bit on Jasprit Bumrah as well: He is clearly a once-in-a-generation bowler, and he is on top of his game in all three formats and adds so much value to the team.
Q What makes Bumrah so special?
A He is a complete X-factor. I think he is a freak, and it starts right from the run-up. You will see a lot of synchronisation in other fast bowlers, but if you look at the basics, he is completely different. He just walks in, and the run-up is a couple of steps with a freak of an action and just the way he releases the ball! So yes, to sum it up, he is just a complete freak.
Q Do you see Hardik Pandya bowling in a Test match as well?
A That is what we want to focus on, and we have been aiming for that in the last couple of years. Unfortunately, there were injury issues, but it is good to see that he is eager to bowl, and once he does that, he just adds so much depth to the team. The balance is there, and you can purely go in with two or three seamers, which allows you to have a different combination.
Q Thoughts on Arshdeep Singh handling pressure and rising to the occasion?
A If you look at Arshdeep and his journey over the last couple of years, you’ll see he has been with me since the U-19 years. He was pretty much a rookie, just 16 or 17 years of age, but still tall and lanky. There was definitely something special about him, especially with him being a left-armer. We haven’t really had a left-armer since RP Singh and Zaheer Khan, so that variety is valuable. He swung the ball, which comes in very handy, but if you see his progress over the last couple of years, especially focusing primarily on the IPL, he bowls the two toughest phases of the game. He bowls with the new ball and then in the death overs, and he still manages to end up with an economy of eight, which is just fabulous. The skills are there, and the ability to soak in pressure when the batters are going hard at you. To be able to have the clarity of execution and the body language he has under the pump is just amazing. He never looks ruffled, and I am just really happy to see how he has progressed.
Q What did the World Cup win mean to Rahul Dravid?
A I think Rahul just let his emotions go. I have never seen him letting go of so many emotions, and that shows what it really meant to him. I am so happy for him, just seeing how he has worked with this team and the time he has put into this team. He has been there throughout, and we have also had a lot of discussions. As an individual, he is a legend of the game, but when he took up this coaching role so easily, he was okay being in the background and doing the work, and that is the greatness of the man. As a player, he is a legend, but he is an even better human being, and that was the environment he created in the dressing room. Everyone had a voice, and the team gelled together. There was so much work he put in, and he completely deserved every bit of it.
Q Thoughts on Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach?
A I am looking forward, and of course, it is a transition phase Indian cricket is going through, so he will have his challenges ahead. The good thing is that he has played a lot of cricket, has been in that environment, and has the experience. I really wish him the very best and believe there are a lot of exciting times ahead. There is a lot of opportunity for him to take this team forward, and of course, Indian cricket.
Q How nice would it be if Zaheer Khan took up the coaching role in the bowling department?
A He is one of the great Indian fast bowlers, and with all his experience, I am sure there is a lot he can offer to the youngsters and everyone in the team. Again, he is just a lovely guy, and I wish him nothing but the best.
Q Any youngsters to keep an eye out for?
A Mayank Yadav is an exciting prospect, and in the IPL, everyone was just in awe of the pace this kid was generating, so that is exciting. Harshit Rana, I feel, will do well if drafted in and will learn quickly from the more experienced pacers. I am sure there will be a lot coming from the U-19 circuit as well.
Also have a look at the interview:
🚨 EXCLUSIVE#ParasMhambrey, the World Cup-winning bowling coach of the Indian team, speaks on his stint, the World Cup, and much more in this discussion with @ishaanshahane11.
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