As the current bowling unit of India seems to be at its best, former Indian left-arm seamer backs some of his favorites for the World Cup 2019.
India’s bowling unit has certainly shown a great improvement series after series and is considered to be one of the strongest bowling attacks currently. With some splendid performances in the recent test former fast bowler, Ashish Nehra had mentioned that bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami are an obvious pick for the World Cup.
Nehra is of the opinion that like other pacers, Shami also follows a pattern while bowling, he has the ability to take wickets when many fast bowlers find difficulty. Shami was a crucial bowler during India’s major overseas tour including South Africa, England and Australia where he clinched a total of 47 wickets.
In an interview with Mumbai Mirror Nehra said, “Everybody is a rhythm bowler essentially because you have to be in rhythm if you have to bowl well. Shami bowls from close to the stumps. His hand comes straight. He makes the ball do something on flat pitches too. In the past year, Shami has surprised me with his fitness.”
“ Bumrah was looking a bit tired during the fifth Test in England; he had not played the first two Tests due to the injury. But Shami was still bowling quick and troubling batsmen. There are two sides to the usage of ‘rhythm.’ It is often a tag used for up-and-down bowlers. And if a bowler is unable to stop bowling no-balls, he will say, ‘yaar, rhythm Nahi thi, kharaab ho gaya.’ ”
AUTHOR’S TAKE:
Shami had been amazing throughout the 2015 world cup, taking a total of 17 wickets in seven games. India have managed to write many winning stories with a great contribution of their fast bowlers, who tried to kick off all their opposition till their semifinal face-off against Australia. Hence India’s pacing attack is apparently at a better position as far as 2019 World Cup is considered.
