Where are India’s fast-bowling all-rounders? Is the art dying — and what is BCCI doing to revive It? Are Shardul Thakur and Nitish Reddy only pace-bowling all-rounder options?
Fast bowling all-rounders are the spine of any well-balanced cricket team — especially in the longest format. From Kapil Dev to Ben Stokes, history proves that such players offer not just versatility but winning flexibility. They give teams the freedom to play an extra bowler without weakening the batting, or vice versa — something India has repeatedly struggled with, especially in overseas conditions.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), the “Impact Player” rule has changed team compositions — sides can now get away with picking specialists. But international cricket doesn’t allow that luxury. Here, the ability to bat and bowl effectively is gold. And that’s why the scarcity of fast bowling all-rounders in Indian cricket is not just a talking point — it’s a serious concern.
Why do India need fast-bowling all-rounders?
India’s inability to consistently win in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) often comes down to the lack of balance in the playing XI. Without a genuine fast bowling all-rounder, team combinations become a headache: play an extra batter and weaken the bowling, or go with five bowlers and risk a fragile batting line-up. That imbalance has cost India key matches in major tournaments and Test series abroad.
What’s even more concerning is the pattern of all-rounder development in India over the last few years. Most of the emerging all-rounders have been spinners — Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and others. These players offer tremendous value, but they don’t solve India’s problem in pace-friendly conditions.
Apart from Hardik Pandya, India hasn’t produced a single genuine seam-bowling all-rounder in recent years — and Hardik himself has stepped away from red-ball cricket. That leaves the Test team with virtually no one to fill that vital seam-bowling all-rounder role, which is especially damaging during overseas tours where spin takes a back seat.
Read More: India desperately need genuine fast bowling all-rounder to compete well in ICC events
What went wrong?
One key reason fast-bowling all-rounders are fading in Indian cricket is the growing preference for specialists. Young talents are moulded as either pure batters or bowlers, with less focus on developing dual-skill players.
Additionally, there’s no clear development pathway — from managing workloads to providing red-ball exposure, the system lacks long-term planning. While players like Hardik have thrived in white-ball cricket, his absence from Tests and the inconsistency or injuries of others like Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy have left India without a dependable option in this vital role.
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Who are the options for future?
Among the few fast-bowling all-rounders India has fielded in recent years, Shardul Thakur stands out as a key figure — someone who has delivered impactful moments at the Test level, especially overseas. His contributions with the bat in Brisbane, Lord’s, and The Oval have been game-changing. However, Shardul has often been inconsistent with the ball, and injuries, fluctuating form, and lack of regular red-ball exposure have limited his role. While he remains in contention, he doesn’t currently offer the long-term reliability India desperately needs in that position.
Beyond Shardul, the pool becomes significantly thinner. Nitish Kumar Reddy has emerged as a promising young name, having shown flashes of brilliance with both bat and ball, including a decent performance at the MCG. Unfortunately, injuries have stalled his momentum. Raj Angad Bawa, a standout from the U19 World Cup, has had limited opportunities but remains one to watch.
Ramandeep Singh, who featured for Kolkata Knight Riders, has displayed power-hitting and handy seam-up skills but needs to transition those abilities into red-ball cricket. Shivam Dube is another prospect; however, his bowling pace may not yet be up to the mark for Test cricket challenges. Lastly, Suryansh Shedge, who had a stint with Punjab Kings, also deserves mention as someone showing potential in this space.
None of these players are yet the finished product. Most still need substantial grooming, exposure to longer formats, and dedicated physical conditioning. But with the right investment, several could develop into the kind of seam-bowling all-rounder India so badly needs.
Read More: Is Washington Sundar the next big all-rounder India have unearthed?
What BCCI must do now
The BCCI needs to take a long-term view and invest seriously in developing this category of cricketers. The first step is to identify a focused pool of young talents who show potential with both bat and ball.
These players should be enrolled in structured development programs at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), where their fitness, skill development, and workload can be closely monitored. It’s essential that they are given consistent opportunities in red-ball domestic cricket — especially in the Ranji Trophy — to build the endurance and discipline required for Test cricket.
In addition, the board must create stronger incentives for such players to stick with their dual roles. Often, young all-rounders are encouraged to focus on just one skill to fast-track their careers. That mindset needs to change.
Whether through central contracts, mentorship, or career security, the BCCI should reward and encourage players who maintain both skillsets. Without such support, the all-rounder role will continue to fade, and with it, India’s ability to field a truly balanced team overseas.
Conclusion
India’s back-to-back World Test Championship setbacks and frequent overseas struggles highlight one clear issue — the team lacks balance. A genuine fast-bowling all-rounder provides that crucial link between batting and bowling, offering depth, flexibility, and control in challenging conditions.
Without a reliable option in this role, India is often forced into compromised combinations that don’t work abroad. To compete consistently at the highest level — whether in Tests or global tournaments — Indian cricket must now make it a priority to identify, develop, and invest in fast-bowling all-rounders. It’s not just about filling a gap — it’s about building a team that can win anywhere.
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