The World Cup is just three months away and the heat is already rising in the cricketing community. The speculations are on, about the Indian squad for the gala event and the race for a spot in the World Cup squad has begun within the players. With every passing year the Indian pace battery has been improving and with that, the competition for the spot of aa 3rd fast bowler in the team has also increased. With both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah being the clear first choices for the skipper, it will be a tough decision for everyone in the team management about whom to pick as the 3rd pacer. Let us have look at the 5 bowlers who are competing to feature in the World Cup starting XI.
MOHAMMED SHAMI
After having a roller coaster 2018, stained with injuries and acquisitions, Shami is finally getting it all together when it matters the most. With World Cup just months away he has finally found his footing in the Indian team. Starting 2019 with a string of impressive performances, bagging 12 wickets in just 6 matches. The series Down Under was one to remember for Shami as he scripted a dream comeback for himself. Although in the first match he went wicketless the veteran pacer proved his worth in the remaining matches of the series. His ability to move the new ball from the deck and his precision will be an asset for the Indian team going into the tournament. With the swing-friendly conditions of England, the veteran pace ace of India can pose a serious threat to many big names and can play an important role in India’s journey to the pinnacle like he did in the World Cup of 2015.
UMESH YADAV
After having a great 2018 with the ball, Umesh Yadav will be looking to break into the World Cup squad. His raw pace and his control on it, which he has finally found, Umesh Yadav will be a force to reckon in the overcast and windy conditions of England. In the ODI series against England in their home Yadav secured 3 wickets with his economy a little above 5, strengthening his possibilities in the World Cup squad. He was the highest wicket-taker in the previous World Cup, taking 18 wickets in 8 matches, which shows how capable he is performing under crunch situations and on the big stage. His selection in the squad will provide the variety and depth to the pace battery. Although few might think that he leaks runs at the death but that doesn’t undermine the effect he has with the new ball. The death overs can be taken care of by Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah while he operates when the ball is new and in the middle overs.
KHALEEL AHMED
The lanky left arm, Khaleel Ahmed would be fancying his World Cup on the basis of the variety he adds to the team. The outcome of India’s frantic search for a left-arm fast bowler, Khaleel has had a mediocre International career until now. Although he possesses the variety, he is not being able to use it to his advantage. He clocks 140+ regularly but he needs to gain control on his bowling and use the angle, which a left arm pacers main weapon, against the batsman. The conditions in England will be different and the team will be wanting him to feature in the wickets column if he is selected. If not in the squad he can be the team’s go-to man if any of the pacers in the squad gets injured ( which I really hope doesn’t happen). The young lad has got a lot to learn and if not this year maybe we will be seeing him in the next World Cup for sure and that will be only possible if he works hard to hone his skills.
SHARDUL THAKUR
The Mumbai lad Shardul Thakur is a hit the deck that can be very effective in the English conditions. One of the kinds which rarely found in Indian cricket, Shardul can be an asset for the national team if used wisely. His ability to hit the deck and get unprecedented bounce and movement even from the flattest of the pitches is what makes him stand out. Having played only 5 ODIs for India, Thakur has bagged 6 wickets with his economy being just above 6. Barring his bowling skills, he brings to the table his ability with the bat, with a strike rate of 100+ in the limited overs at the domestic level, it provides depth to the Indian batting. With these many varieties in him, it won’t be a surprise if he was chosen in the squad but his lack of experience may delay his World Cup call up until next time. The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli talked of having a factor of unpredictability in his World Cup squad and with these many options at his disposal he has all he needs to execute his plan. Having said so, the increasing competition for each position in the team is overwhelming and it has lead to a phenomenal rise in the level of cricket within the country which helped In dia become the Superpower, it is, in the World of Cricket.
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