There are a few things that still haven't been looked into. This is a consequence of India's ridiculously inept player management. Not just among pacers, even spinners, all-rounders and wicketkeepers, good enough for this team at their own times, have been shunted out virtually permanently. They don't invest in players, but pick them when needed and drop them when the going gets tough, left with a shrinking talent pool and poor replacements.
The athletic physique and tendencies should be there in a contender for a fast bowler- not a seam-and-swing stalwart. Muscles help sustain this style of play over time, but someone who's a natural athlete will be a better pacer. All the fastest bowlers are very good athletes, unlike most of the bowlers fielded by India- and even India's fastest are good on the field.
Bowling actions also play a part. Most actions need a check on whether they're getting the most out of each delivery, and if they're sustainable. This is an area left best to the experts, as they can point out technical glitches and remedies that can add a significant amount of pace. Some Indian bowling actions look dreadful and the sooner they're changed, the better.
There's also a need for change in outlook. Far too much priority is given to words of several players from bygone eras, who bemoan the tendency of India's younger bowlers to strive for pace. This so-called Indian Way of Coaching, which emphasises that India has always produced medium-pacers, and should continue to do so, should be scrapped immediately. Then again, even Greg Chappell, an Australian, from the same team and time as Dennis Lillee, turned Munaf, the fastest bowler in the country, into a weakened medium-pace line-and-length metronome. He lost his pace, and with it, his striking power. This has to be turned around, with specific bowlers encouraged to strive for pace.
Injuries have often resulted in players not striving for pace, so that they can hold on to their places. That tendency is quite disappointing. The people in charge should encourage them to bowl fast, and at the same time, ensure their security in the team, so that even if a replacement is found and is doing slightly better, the frontline players return when they can.
This race for pace isn't a good thing either. It doesn't matter if that particular delivery is faster than Binga, Shoaib or Bond- it just has to take a wicket. More than record-breaking pace, serious pace sustained over time is useful.
To sum this up, they should pick the best bowlers in the country, help them add some pace, keep their places in and around the team intact, invest in appropriate facilities and encourage them to bowl decently fast over time. And of course, stay far away from the so-called Indian Way of Coaching.
