India’s developing pace sensation Kamlesh Nagarkoti has caught the attention of Essex fast bowling coach Ian Pont following his excellent show at the recently-concluded ICC under-19 World Cup.
Pont, an acknowledged coach, has a simple philosophy that drives his work, “Success goes to players and blame goes to coaches.”
Having spent time in India with young fast bowlers, Pont is hardly surprised at the emergence of some explosive talent which promises to serve the senior team long.
He is very impressed with Rajasthan youngster Nagarkoti for his eye-catching performance in the U-19 World Cup by picking up nine wickets, apart from the speed (145+) that he generated.
“There is simply no reason why India cannot have a conveyor belt of talented fast bowlers such as Nargarkoti. He has a very good biomechanical action. Indian fast bowling needs an icon to be honest.
“Once there is a 150kmph world-class quick in the ranks, I feel Indian youngsters can aspire to be like that bowler as they have done over time with Shoaib Akhtar, Brett Lee and Dale Steyn. Youngsters want to be like their heroes after all,” Pont said on Nagarkoti.
Pat for Bhuvi, Bumrah
Showering special praise on Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, Pont said, “They are showing they can transition between the various forms of the game and are starting to have success with both the white and the red ball.
“Yet again they both have much they could add to their bowling technically to make them faster whilst not losing their skills and control.”
Fast-bowling website
Pont, who was assistant coach of The Netherlands at the 2007 World Cup, launched his path-breaking fast bowling training programme website on Friday. He explained his venture to The Hindu , “The simplest way round was to launch UPFcricket.com as a fast bowling website.
“That way we can allow players to get access to coaching online — videos that explain what to do, information about how to correct faults, the drills that help players to help themselves.”
Aspirants can sign up at ₹650 a month.
Delighted at fast bowlers dominating world cricket, Pont observed, “It is no surprise that when a side has a great fast bowling unit it will always dominate world cricket.
“Pace unsettles a batsman and the difference between facing 140 and 150kmph when batting, is huge. India’s pace attack is evolving well. I feel with a country of one billion people, India should have a fast bowling unit simply untouchable.
“I rather hope that ‘UPFcricket’ is going to be at the forefront of that development during the next 10 years.”
In Pont’s view, “India should have four or five quicks. The surprise has been it never really has had. Much of this is to do with mindsets, environment and the attitude of some coaches. But to be frank these are excuses.”
