Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has tipped India’s bowling attack as the best he has seen in the last five decades. India’s bowling battery has been right on the money in the ongoing World Cup 2023 as they have ticked the right boxes.
In the ongoing ODI showpiece, Shami has scalped 16 wickets in five matches at an impressive average of 9.56 and has an economy rate of 4.78. He is India’s leading wicket-taker in the tournament despite playing only four matches. Furthermore, Jasprit Bumrah has bagged 17 wickets at an impressive average of 15.64 in nine matches of the tournament.
Moreover, Mohammed Siraj has picked 12 wickets in nine games. Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja have snared 14 and 16 wickets respectively in the ongoing ODI showpiece.
India’s bowling attack has claimed a total of 86 wickets in the nine league stage matches. Moreover, they have bowled out opposition on seven occasions.
“If they miss out this time, they would probably have to wait another three World Cups for even thinking of trying to win it. The pool of players is such the 7-8 players are at their peak. This could well be their last World Cup. The way they are playing, given the conditions, they have got the team to win it,” said Shastri while speaking on the Club Prairie Fire podcast.
While the fast bowlers have created pressure with the new ball, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav have kept the pressure on the opposition in the middle overs.
“It is the best attack that I have seen in 50 years, ever since white-ball cricket started and it’s all because of the variety. You have Bumrah who is a freak, you have Shami who is a master when it comes to seam position and then Siraj, who is feisty, can get under your skin and is a slippery character. You also have Jadeja, who is at the peak of his prowess and Kuldeep, who has improved leaps and bounds,” Shastri added.
The reputed commentator heaped praise on Rohit Sharma’s captaincy for getting the best out of the players.
“These guys have the experience but Rohit will take no nonsense. If they try to be flashy, Rohit will be at their ears straightaway. So you know where all the discipline comes from. He has marshalled his resources extremely well. He has been an outstanding captain in this World Cup. He has been extremely proactive,” said Shastri.
India will take New Zealand in the semifinals at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Wednesday.
