Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar, once the nemesis of many a top Indian batsman, has advice for his arch-rivals.
He says Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron will be key to India's 2015 World Cup defence.
"(Mohammed) Shami, Umesh (Yadav) and (Varun) Aaron are the ones. Keep them fresh, well-trained and give them proper practice from the World Cup's point of view. If these three bowlers can be fit and firing in the World Cup then India will be unstoppable," said Akhtar, on the sidelines the limited-overs series between India and England.
Shoaib, who turned to coaching with the State Bank of Pakistan in the upcoming first-class season, also gave some food for thought to the Indian think-tank that has been using Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar like work-horses over the past year or so.
"At least one month before the World Cup is to begin India should give its main fast bowlers optimum rest. Rotate them, take care of them and then bring them up to match fitness slowly.
"If they play a long tour in Australia, then they will get jaded and fatigued. So train them away from international cricket and then slowly give them match fitness. Make sure they don’t look for match fitness in the World Cup. Keep them fresh for the World Cup," said Akhtar.
‘Indian bowlers need to have a Pakistani mindset for bowling'
Sharing his concern for Indian bowling, Akhtar sounded pretty optimistic on the evidence of the five-match ODI series in England which the Men in Blue won 3-1.
"India's death bowling is improving. Shami has been very good in this ODI series. The problem is that they do not have someone at mid-on and mid-off telling them what to do. India is missing experience in its bowling.
"They need to have a Pakistani mindset for bowling. Wasim Akram and I have been helping them whenever they have approached us with questions, but we can only help so much. This is a slow process, but definitely they are getting there in terms of death bowling," he said.
‘The Indian bowlers only need to concentrate on their pace’
India will be playing a full series against the West Indies at home and thereafter go on a full tour of Australia. They will spend five months Down Under, playing four Tests, a tri-series against Australia and England, and then the World Cup in Australia-New Zealand.
"The Indian bowlers only need to concentrate on their pace. They shouldn't worry about movement. They have got the ability to move the ball but they don't have pace. You should always do new things in the nets and look to add what weapon is not there in your armoury.
"So they should keep looking to work on their pace, looking to increase it. If they try to maintain their current pace, it will come down because of fatigue as they play too much cricket," said the tearaway fast bowler, who holds the record for the quickest ball bowled in international cricket.
The 39-year-old 'Rawalpindi Express' also urged India to nurture cricketing relations to keep the game healthy.
"People from both countries want to see the political issues between our two countries resolved. But even if they are not resolved, we should not stop sport, particularly cricket, because it brings the two countries together," said Akhtar.
‘Cricket should happen between our two nations’
Things could turn better now with Pakistan T20 side Lahore Lions being issued an Indian visa to participate in the Champions League, starting Spetember 13.
Akhtar said cricket needs Pakistan to survive and vice-versa.
"Cricket should happen between our two nations. India should play Pakistan because Pakistan cricket needs their support. And world cricket needs Pakistan cricket to stay alive," declared a hopeful Akhtar.
India and Pakistan are slated to meet in the 2015 ODI World Cup and as per the new FTP are also expected to engage in a full series in December next year.
Akhtar feels that Pakistan should never be ignored in fututre FTPs.
"We are always talking about making cricket a global game. If Pakistan cricket, or West Indies cricket for example... who are also on the downhill, do not survive then who will you play with? So we should all be concerned mutually. I am concerned about Indian cricket and its bowlers.
"Similarly, Indian cricket/administration should also be concerned about Pakistan cricket's state of health," he said.
