Vasudev Prasad Singh and Abhishek Moond: Indian pacers learn Aussie fast-bowling secrets from Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc during a two-week training camp in Brisbane. The young bowlers from Bihar and Rajasthan trained with Australia’s Test squad at the Allan Border Field, an experience they called a dream come true.
Singh, 20, and Moond, 18, worked alongside Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood as part of the long-standing partnership between the MRF Pace Foundation and Cricket Australia. MRF head coach M. Senthilnathan said the duo was like “kids in a candy store” for the first two days, overwhelmed by the opportunity. “To train with Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood is something they would not have imagined even in their wildest dreams,” he added.
The Indian pacers learned how to manage their bodies, bowl longer spells, and adapt to Australian conditions. Moond noted the batters were of the highest quality, forcing him to bowl fuller lengths. Singh, who grew up bowling on matting wickets, said the exposure taught him how to plan spells and set fields. “The biggest advantage of this tour is the opportunity to train with the Australian senior team,” he said.
This exchange program, running since 1992, has shaped stars like Glenn McGrath and Zaheer Khan. Senthilnathan believes this stint will accelerate the growth of both bowlers. “They are still raw, but they have the attitude and work ethic to go a long way,” he concluded, hinting at a bright future for the Indian pacers.