India fast bowling arsenal has good balance, feels Pollock

Mumbai

Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock on Sunday said India are in a very strong position now because of their pace battery and the fact that there is competition for places makes it even more healthier.

"You guys (India) are really in a strong position now (as far as fast bowling is concerned). The depth of bowling, the different variations that you have, you have got some tall guys, shorter guys, quick, skillful, shaking the ball and you can decide in between them and you can have real good balance," Pollock said on Sony Network for their show Pit Stop on their Facebook page.

"If you decide to go with three or even four seamers, you have got guys who can step in.  The years are gone by, you might have had a (Javagal) Srinath or Venkatesh Prasad, but then the replacement bowler… (say) in South Africa… the third bowler or the backup bowler….may be wasn't of the same kind of quality and that's where I thought they were letting themselves down.

"I think you guys are in a wonderful position and (there is) some quality. And (there is) competition for places. We had a chat with Jasprit Bumrah, the other day, and he was saying it is great, everyone is competing, ready to go, you really have to keep performing and if you don't have good few games, then someone can step in and take your place, so it is a good situation for India," said the 46-year old, regarded as one of the best pacers of all time.

On the saliva ban, Pollock hoped it wouldn't be there for a long time.

"Well you can use sweat on the ball for now. Hopefully we don't have to use this over a longer time. Maybe it can just be 3-6 months and then we can go back to normal. New Zealand for example, they started with the domestic league and there probably won't be any issue with the virus at all as they don't have the virus. You do understand the precautions and you would rather have cricket be played," he said.

South Africa is yet to zero in on their Test captain with names of Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram doing the rounds. Quinton de Kock is their white ball captain. Pollock said if there are no Test matches around any time soon, they should look for a long term solution.

"It goes down to where this team is going. If there is a series soon, then they might go for experience. If it takes longer for Test cricket to return, you may think long term. We need to run with a captain for 4-5 years. There are no firm favourites. De Kock has done well in the shorter formats."

Asked if he found leading the sides taxing, Pollock said: "I did not find it too taxing. I always wanted to be involved and helped the team. Also we had two formats at that time."