Gurnoor Brar — the X-factor in India’s bowling cartel

Nothing sets the pulse racing more than watching a tearaway pace bowler in action. A long, never-ending run-up, an explosive build-up of momentum, the bowling crease attacked with ferocity, sometimes with a leap, culminates in the little orb being propelled at the rate of knots through a combination of shoulder and wrist and snappy fingers.

For long periods, India have yearned for a speed merchant, someone who can rattle opposition batting line-ups with naked, raw, untamed pace. It is said that Mohammad Nissar, who played in India’s first Test against England at Lord’s in June 1932, was frightfully pacy and deadly accurate. On India’s first day as a Test nation, he sent the stumps of openers Percy Holmes and Herbert Sutcliffe flying for six and three respectively, reducing the hosts to 11 for two.

Just 10 days previously, Holmes and Sutcliffe had put on a world record 555 for Yorkshire against Essex in the English County Championship. Nissar gave them a reality check and even though England recovered to post a 158-run victory, Nissar and his new-ball partner Amar Singh had given the home side a proper scare.