- By Himanshu Badola
- Sat, 23 Sep 2023 06:12 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes that the Indian team will not be going to include Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah together during the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 at home.
He feels that the team management is obsessed and very keen to go with a bowler at the number eighth who can provide a bit with the bat as well.
While eyeing to make big at the ODI World Cup at home, the Indian captain Rohit Sharma, emphasized the importance of depth in batting, particularly in the No.8 and No.9 positions.
This was seen during the Asia Cup 2023 when Shardul Thakur and Axar Patel were predominantly used in that slot in the playing XI ahead of senior bowler Shami.
However, Shami who was the leading India's pace attack alongside Bumrah in the first ODI against Australia provided a dream spell in the absence of Siraj.
He registered his best ODI figures as he finished with 5/51 in his 10 overs while Shardul had a tough day with the ball, conceding 78 runs in his 10 overs and went wicketless.
Chopra lauded Shami for his performance and the delivery he bowled to get rid of Steve Smith.
“Shami grabbed the limelight on a road-like flat pitch. The delivery that got Steve Smith out was the ball of the match. It was a really good delivery. The debate was over what India needed - runs from the batter at No. 8 or wickets from Shami. But I still feel India won’t play Shami, Siraj and Bumrah together," he said on his YouTube channel.
“I feel they are still obsessed with the No. 8 position and that’s why they won’t go in with these three fast bowlers together. The third pacer is likely to be Shardul and the third spinner if needed could be Axar or Ashwin. But still, Shami was sensational,” he added.
Notably, Shami didn't get to play much in the Asia Cup 2023 and featured in only two matches, one against Nepal in the absence of Bumrah and the other against Bangladesh when the other pacers were rested.
India went on to win the tournament by beating Sri Lanka in the final as they clinched their record eighth title.
