India’s bowling, according to Aakash Chopra, has been their greatest asset in the 2023 World Cup.
The Men in Blue finished the league stage with an unblemished record. They will meet New Zealand in the first semi-final on Wednesday, November 15 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
In a video posted to his YouTube account, Chopra was asked if India’s batting, bowling, or fielding had been their greatest department in the World Cup, to which he responded:
“India’s biggest strength – I will say the bowling, although all three parts are playing their roles properly. However, I feel we are doing the best job in bowling. Batters are fine, they are doing well, they scored 400-plus runs in the last match as well and we have seen them score 350-plus runs also.”
“However, it’s the bowling. Bowling makes it absolutely exceptional. Suddenly you feel all boxes are ticked. India is a batting country, so we celebrate the batting, we produce very good batters as well, but the bowlers have combined the five fingers to make a fist this time.”
Aakash Chopra
Afghanistan and Bangladesh are the only two of India’s nine games where they haven’t bowled the opponents out. The highest total achieved against them is 273, and they have not given up 300 runs in any of the games.
“He is doing a mighty job” – Aakash Chopra on Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah’s efforts in the event especially pleased Aakash Chopra. He said:
“They have won my heart. I am going with team bowling. Bowling has done exceedingly well. You can take Jasprit Bumrah as an example. You won’t see his name in the top five in the highest wicket-takers list but he is doing a mighty job.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra went on to say that the unorthodox seamer’s impact cannot be determined only by how many wickets he has claimed. He clarified:
“You should remember that. Just like I said you shouldn’t forget KL Rahul’s contribution, don’t forget Jasprit Bumrah as well, because we will turn back and ask who took the most wickets – no, Bumrah’s role has been outstanding.”
With an amazing economy rate of 3.65, Bumrah has claimed 17 wickets in just nine games. Almost flawless performances have also been given by Mohammed Shami (16), Ravindra Jadeja (16), Kuldeep Yadav (14) and Mohammed Siraj (12).
