Sat Apr 19 11:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Gurgaon’s PaceLab: Revamping Fast Bowling with Science
**GURGAON, INDIA** – A modest cricket training facility in Gurgaon is making waves in the world of fast bowling, thanks to a unique approach rooted in sports science. PaceLab, the brainchild of former English First-Class cricketer Steffan Jones, is transforming the careers of bowlers across India, most notably veteran Ishant Sharma.
Sharma, at 36, revitalized his pace with PaceLab, clocking mid-140 kph during the recent IPL season. His improved performance, widely shared on social media, has attracted bowlers from across the country, seeking to enhance their speed and efficiency.
Unlike traditional coaching methods, PaceLab focuses on biomechanics and sprint training, emphasizing the importance of efficient running and a powerful “impulse stride” in the delivery. Coach Ayush Mehendiratta, a former Punjab cricketer, attributes the facility’s success to Jones’s extensive research and expertise in sports science, gleaned from his background at Loughborough and Cambridge Universities.
Jones criticizes conventional fast bowling coaching as outdated, focusing too much on volume rather than the sprint-based nature of the action. He explains that overworking bowlers leads to injury and reduced speed. PaceLab’s training utilizes weighted balls and specialized gym work to build strength and improve velocity without compromising recovery.
The impact on bowlers has been dramatic. Kushagra Yadav, a former Haryana U-25 bowler, saw his speed increase from 68 mph to 81 mph in just three weeks after correcting his throwing action. Similarly, Arunachal Pradesh’s Mibom Mosu has seen significant improvements in his pace.
Ishant Sharma’s transformation is a testament to PaceLab’s effectiveness. Mehendiratta identified weaknesses in Sharma’s upper and lower body strength and his run-up, correcting his lateral movement and increasing his inclined bench press numbers significantly. These adjustments led to a remarkable increase in his bowling speed.
PaceLab’s success relies on word-of-mouth referrals, but Jones hopes to expand its reach, believing many talented Indian fast bowlers are underperforming due to outdated training methods. The facility’s focus on data-driven, scientific methods is offering a fresh approach to fast bowling coaching, challenging traditional practices and pushing the boundaries of speed and performance.
First Piper 