World Cup 2023: India’s biggest strength is their bowling – Aakash Chopra ahead of semifinal clash against New Zealand

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has said India’s biggest strength is their bowling. India’s bowling battery has been right on the money in the ongoing World Cup 2023 as they have ticked the right boxes.

In the ongoing ODI showpiece, Shami has scalped 16 wickets in five matches at an impressive average of 9.56 and has an economy rate of 4.78. He is India’s leading wicket-taker in the tournament despite playing only five matches. Furthermore, Jasprit Bumrah has bagged 17 wickets at an impressive average of 15.64 in nine matches of the tournament.

Moreover, Mohammed Siraj has picked 12 wickets in nine games. Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja have snared 14 and 16 wickets respectively in the ongoing ODI showpiece.

India’s bowling attack has claimed a total of 86 wickets in the nine league-stage matches. Moreover, they have bowled out opposition on seven occasions.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “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.”

The former India opener added: “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.”

Chopra hailed Jasprit Bumrah for doing a fine job in the Powerplay overs with the new ball. Bumrah has conceded his runs at an economy rate of 3.65 in the World Cup.

“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.”

“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.”

The first semifinal will be played between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai on Wednesday.