Hyderabad: Dale Steyn, the No.1-ranked bowler in the world, feels that India needs to encourage pacers in order to sharpen the bowling attack.

The South African has said that always looking up to spinners for wickets is not the right way to go about encouraging pacers in India. “If you’re always going to look at the spinners to do the job for you, what’s the point of even having a fast bowler?” asked Steyn.

Aware of India’s “rich tradition” with spinners, Steyn gave an example from the recent India-Australia Test series to make his point. “I watched the recent Test series between India and Australia and at one stage Ishant (Sharma) bowled his first over of the match with the second new ball! There’s not a lot of confidence your captain is giving you as a fast bowler when he gives you the ball only after 80 overs.

“I say this with due respect to (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni, because they went on to win the Test series 4-0. But for a bowler like Ishant it doesn’t say a lot to him. I’m sure he buys into the team’s plans and priorities and so he’s fine with it.

“But when questions are raised about Indian fast bowlers — which I think will always be raised — I think that’s your answer right there,” the South African said.

Steyn, who plays for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, added that wickets here are not conducive for fast bowling. “The wickets here aren’t really helpful for them either and I feel for the Indian fast bowlers... If Ishant wants to come to South Africa, he’ll make the team any day, I can promise you that. He’s a fantastic bowler.

“Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshar Kumar are also two very good bowlers. They just need the right conditions. If you’re going to give them spinning wickets, it’s going to be difficult. If you’ll give them the ball after 80 overs, it’s going to be even more difficult.”