Monty Panesar has dubbed India’s pace trio of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj the ‘Fab Three’.
The Men in Blue will face Australia in the 2023 World Cup final on November 19 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The three seamers have combined for 54 wickets in the event and will look to make a match-winning contribution in the final.
During a CNN News 18 debate on the final, Panesar praised India’s seam-bowling attack. He went on to say:
“They are the Fab Three I would say – Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami. This is a very golden period in Indian cricket right now. You never thought 15-20 years ago that there would be three seamers like this. Venky (Venkatesh Prasad) and Javagal Srinath definitely, but they didn’t have a third one.”
Monty Panesar
Shami’s exploits in the competition were especially appreciated by the former England spinner. He stated:
“He (Shami) has been brilliant. He has been a complete revelation. He has been taking wickets in his first few balls as well, and that kind of sets the tone for India. No one expected him to do so well.”
Monty Panesar
Shami has the most wickets in the current World Cup, with 23. Bumrah and Siraj, who accounted for 18 and 13 dismissals, respectively, have adequately backed him.
“If he bowls well as we have seen him do, India could win this World Cup very comfortably” – Monty Panesar on Mohammed Shami
Monty Panesar believes that if Mohammed Shami is at his best, India would win easily in the final. He stated, “
“In six games, he is the leading wicket-taker. He is the key. If he bowls well as we have seen him do, don’t be surprised, India could win this World Cup very comfortably.”
Monty Panesar
The cricketer-turned-commentator went on to say that Indian seamers have been at their most effective while defending targets. He elaborated:
“When they (India) bowl under the lights, they bowl sides out very easily. They did it with South Africa, bowled them out for 83. Sri Lanka were 14/6 at one stage and I thought they were going to get bowled out for 20.”
Monty Panesar
India’s first five games in the competition were won by chasing down goals. Their past five victories have occurred while bowling second, with England, Sri Lanka, and South Africa being bowled out for 129, 55, and 83 runs in the opening three games, respectively.