India's invincible campaign in the ongoing home ODI World Cup 2023 has earned a lot of respect and praise for the Rohit Sharma-led side. Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar is the latest to laud Men in Blue's lethal bowling attack and overall run in the pinnacle event.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya's injury might have left India with only five bowling options but the addition of pacer Mohammed Shami in the pace attack is a boon for them. Shami picked nine wickets in his two World Cup matches so far. Rawalpindi Express backed the pace pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Shami as they wreak havoc against defending champions England. Bumrah and Shami shared seven wickets between them to bundle out England for 129.
"With Shami coming in, India's bowling template has changed completely. England ko to andha kar diya Shami aur Bumrah ne (They didn't let England breathe). Then there are (Ravindra) Jadeja and Kuldeep (Yadav). This is becoming a ruthless bowling attack," Shoaib Akhtar said on YouTube.
Recommended For You
ALSO READ: Shaheen Afridi Reaches 100 ODI Wickets, Surpasses Mitchell Starc To Become...
"People used to say India win matches with batting. See today, they are doing it with bowling as well. They had to defend 229 and won by 100 runs! That's a huge thing! Hats off to the Indian bowling, especially Bumrah, very very smart fast bowler," he added.
India have won 6/6 games in the group stage of the marquee edition so far and will look to stay undefeated in the remaining three fixtures.
The pace veteran further highlighted that India can go on to create a world record if they win the title by staying unbeaten in the tournament.
ALSO READ: How Can Pakistan And Sri Lanka Still Qualify For Semi-finals? | Scenarios Explained
"India now need five good days to win the World Cup. If they go the final unbeaten and win the title, it will be a world record. I have never seen that, winning the World Cup without losing (a single match). I hope they don't have a bad luck in the semifinal or final," Akhtar said.
Rawalpindi Express urged India to not drop any bowler from their playing 11 to rope in Hardik Pandya.
"A half-fit Hardik Pandya is not good for the Indian bowling attack because they may drop one bowler (to bring him in)... You can drop (Shreyas) Iyer if Hardik comes in, but don't drop anyone from your bowling unit," he said.
India will take on Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.