Let-arm fast bowlers are rare commodities. Since Zaheer Khan's retirement, the Indian cricket team has given opportunities to a few left-arm pacers but no one has managed to cement his place so far. Arshdeep Singh is one left-arm seamer who is a fairly consistent player for the team but is yet to hit his true potential. On being asked by NDTV ahead of the start of the 2nd Test between India and Australia, head coach Rahul Dravid was asked about the lack of quality left-arm pacers in the team. As the journalist used the references of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mitchell Starc, Dravid gave an epic response.
"A left arm fast bowler brings a lot of variation. You forgot the name of Zaheer Khan. But selectors and management definitely watch out for these talents. Arshdeep Singh played well in the recent ODIs, he also played Ranji Trophy, where he picked 4-5 wickets. He's young, he's developing," Dravid said in the press conference ahead a couple of days before the start of the Delhi Test.
Going deeper into the topic, Dravid admitted that the selectors are always on the lookout for such talent but he also clarified that merely being a pacer who bowls left handed wouldn't earn that player a spot in the senior team.
"There are other guys who are performing. But only being a left-handed pacer will not help you get into the side, you need to perform as well," the coach said.
"We do look at it, we know the importance but if you're only a left hand fast bowler then you cannot be considered. Be it Zaheer Khan or Ashish Nehra they didn't get a chance just because they were left hand fast bowler but they were good," he added.
As the journalist interrupted Dravid and highlighted how left-arm pacers have traditionally done well against India, the legendary cricketer came up with a quirky response.
"Agar 6ft 4' bowler hain aapke paas toh aap batado (If you know someone 6ft4 bowler let us know). You took the names of Mitchell Starc and Shaheen Afridi, but in India we rarely find someone as tall as 6ft 5' who bowls left hand fast.
"We do look at it, we know the importance but if you're only a left hand fast bowler then you cannot be considered. Be it Zaheer Khan or Ashish Nehra they didn't get a chance just because they were left hand fast bowler but they were good," Dravid said.
Dravid also admitted that the seletors are closely observing left-arm pacers like Arshdeep, Khaleel Ahmed, and Mukesh Choudhary.