The Indian cricket team is showing a marked improvement in their bowling performance, as seen in their recent match against Sri Lanka. This could serve as a catalyst to boost team morale, capitalizing on every opportunity provided by the opposition. Just a week ago, the team appeared far from their best, but they are now starting to resemble a hungry and determined squad eager to end their ICC title drought, raising hopes ahead of the World Cup next month.
Despite having a wealth of batting talent, India has thrived due to their strong bowling unit, which is effective regardless of the playing conditions. In an era where most teams prioritize their batting line-up, India has taken a different approach by building their team around bowlers, recognizing that bowlers often win matches in a format that tends to favor batsmen. This philosophy, which has proven successful in Test cricket, is now being replicated in the 50-over format just in time for the World Cup.
In their recent Super 4 fixture against Sri Lanka, there were doubts about whether India would field a full-strength XI, given their tight schedule. However, they chose to send a message by retaining their new ball pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj and including Axar Patel in the lineup. This decision demonstrated their intent to go for the win.
While defending 213 runs against Sri Lanka, the playing conditions had changed from a slow pitch that favored spinners to a more batting-friendly one due to rain. In the World Cup, India may face similar situations, where dew plays a significant role, and the pitch’s nature changes between innings. In such cases, matches can be won with the new ball, as it’s crucial to make early breakthroughs before the ball loses its shine and becomes challenging for spinners to grip. India’s new ball bowlers, especially Bumrah, played a vital role in this scenario.
Bumrah, who had been out injured for a year, showcased his ability to trouble the opposition’s top order. He displayed a variety of deliveries, including ones that angled away, out-swingers, and deceptive slower balls. Despite doubts about his form after the injury, Bumrah seemed to be back to his best.
India’s new ball bowlers, including Bumrah and Siraj, did their job effectively, creating openings for the spinners, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel. Kuldeep’s wrist-spin proved crucial in breaking the middle order, and his partnership with a potent new-ball bowler like Bumrah allows him to attack more aggressively. His improved line and length, along with patience and variations, have made him a more reliable bowler. However, for Kuldeep to be effective, it’s essential for the new ball bowlers to provide early breakthroughs.
India’s bowling attack centers around Bumrah and Kuldeep, with support from Siraj, Jadeja, and Axar. With Hardik Pandya capable of providing seam movement and additional pace, the bowling options appear well-rounded. Even before the ball got older, they had inflicted significant damage to the opposition, ensuring that India remained confident throughout the match, even when faced with challenging partnerships from Sri Lanka.