India, April 16 -- Unlike Pakistan, Indian cricket, traditionally, hasn't been renowned for producing a battery of pace bowlers. And those that have come through have mostly gotten lost speed along the way, only to fade away. Think of Munaf Patel, who started as a burgeoning fast bowler, sending thunderbolts close to 150. Then came VRV Singh. However, one disappeared quicker than he arrived while the other's pace dropped to late 120s and early 130s. Heck, let's forget 15 years ago. How about the last two years. Umran Malik, considered the next big tearaway pacer in Indian cricket, enjoyed one breakout season and has absolutely vanished from the selectors' radar ever since.

To be honest, barring Javagal Srinath in the 1990s and the duo of...