Javagal Srinath stated that India’s current crop of fast bowlers have impressed him no end. Cricketers Srinath, Venkatapathy Raju and Stuart Binny spoke at a Sports Journalists' Federation of India (SJFI) panel discussion at KSBA here on Saturday.

“The current Indian pace trio is the best I’ve seen in years. Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami have been great. They put fear in batsmen. I wanted to be a part of a fearsome trio like this when I played, but when I toured England, we played four spinners (laughs). Things were tough for (pace partner) Venkatesh (Prasad) and I. We always wanted another fast bowler to support us, but we never managed to get it,” Srinath said.

Raju, who played 28 Tests and 53 Tests, recalled seeing Srinath as a fearsome young speedster. “When Srinath just arrived on the scene, he once bounced Dilip Vengsarkar in the nets. Vengsarkar then challenged Srinath to do the same in a match, and Srinath did just that in a Ranji Trophy match. Vengsarkar later admitted that Srinath was genuinely quick,” Raju said.

On the difference between bowling seam up in England and India, Binny said, “To bowl well in India, seam bowlers need to learn the art of reverse swing. Bowling pace in India requires you to learn many skills. It is challenge I've enjoyed."