Waqar to leave Steyn, Ishant alone

He was the master of reverse swing in the nineties. Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram had troubled many batsmen with their prodigious late swinging yorkers. “When we were playing, reverse swing was new. Probably that is the reason we were more successful than others,” said the 41-year-old former Pakistan fast bowler, who has joined as bowling coach for Sunrisers, Hyderabad this season.

Younis, however, said the batsmen are now more careful and know how to play against it.  This being his first assignment in IPL, it will be a big and exciting challenge. “It is for the first time I’m appearing in the IPL and hopefully with Dale Steyn, Ishant Sharma and a lot of fast bowlers in the team, we can make it a good bowling unit.”

For Younis, Steyn is a complete fast bowler. “He is not number one just like that. He has worked hard. His fitness, his energy, his hunger and his action make him a complete fast bowler. He is a big time fast bowler. He swings the ball, takes people on.”

Younis, however, said he would not like to fiddle with Steyn or Ishant. “I have seen Ishant in the recent Test matches. He is really bowling well. I need not do anything with he or Steyn.”

Younis said he always considered VVS Laxman, the mentor ambassador as a great player. “I have played against him. He will be a great influence on the youngsters and we know about him.”

The bowling coach said he was impressed with Shikhar Dhawan. “It is a big loss to lose Dhawan as he was in very good form. He played beautifully in the Mohali Test and I liked the way he scored his maiden Test century in his first match.It is unfortunate that he got injured.”