New Delhi. What’s missing from India’s T20 World Cup squad? Among the things that come to mind after this question, the answer related to fast bowling is very important. The answer is contradictory. India, who have the most dangerous bowlers in the world, may lose a great teammate in the T20 World Cup. Yes, the kind of support Mohammad Shami gave to Jasprit Bumrah in World Cup 2023, hardly anyone will give support in T20 World Cup 2024.
It may not be fair to compare the national team with the IPL team, but lessons can be learned from both. Take the example of Jasprit Bumrah’s IPL team Mumbai Indians. Mumbai Indians include veteran players like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Bumrah. However, this team remained at the last position in the points table. The reason is obvious – the team also needs the right balance with big players, which was not evident at least in Mumbai Indians’ fast bowling.
Other fast bowlers are not even close to Jaspreet
Jasprit Bumrah was the longest purple cap holder in IPL 2024. He has taken 20 wickets in the tournament at an average of 16.80. During this period its economy rate has been 6.48. The economy rate of the bowler who took just one wicket in the entire tournament is lower than that of Bumrah. Nathan Ellis has taken one wicket at an economy rate of 6.00.
Bumrah will be the biggest strength in the World Cup
These stats are enough to prove Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliant bowling. Despite this, Mumbai Indians finished last in the points tally of the IPL. Indian bowlers have to understand this in the T20 World Cup. There is no doubt that Bumrah will be India’s biggest strength in the World Cup. But there is a question mark over the bowlers in the squad to support this strength.
The form of Siraj-Pandya is scary
Four fast bowlers including all-rounder Hardik Pandya have been selected in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup. Apart from Bumrah, it includes Mohammad Siraj and Arshdeep Singh. Arshdeep Singh has taken 17 wickets at an average of 27.52 in 13 matches in IPL 2024. His economy rate was 10.10. Mohammad Siraj took 12 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 35.66. It was 9.30. Hardik Pandya took 11 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 32.72 and a strike rate of 10.58.
Expect a better performance from Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh’s performance gives hope but there are questions over the form of Siraj and Pandya. However, both Siraj and Pandya have bowled well in the second half of the IPL. Both are showing signs of a return to form. Now it remains to be seen how these two bowlers perform in the T20 World Cup. It is expected that Bumrah will get along well with the other fast bowlers and the Indian team will all out the opposition. The question remains as to who will be Bumrah’s partner with the new ball.
Tags: Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, T20 World Cup, Team India
First published: May 17, 2024, 15:08 IST