A strong bowling side is the reason India is No.1, says Kapil Dev

A strong bowling side is the reason India is No.1, says Kapil Dev

SportsCafe Desk

By SportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Kapil Dev believes that it is India's great bowling unit that has helped them become the top-ranked side in both the Test and ODI format in World cricket. However, the 58-year-old also stated that India’s dominance will only be accepted when they continue the winning momentum away from home.

India continued their stronghold over opponents Australia in the limited over format on Saturday as they registered a convincing 9-wicket win, which now sees them leading the 3-match T20 series 1-0. This was the sixth time India have defeated the Aussies in a T20I game and applauds flooded in soon.

Under Virat Kohli’s captaincy, India are looking to break all records that they can lay their eyes on. After becoming the number one side in Test and ODI following recent wins over Sri Lanka and Australia, the Men in Blue are looking to crown themselve in the shortest format too. And former India skipper Kapil Dev believes it is the bowling strength that Kohli is riding on at the moment.

Speaking after the game to ABP news, Kapil Dev said, “This is the first time that India are getting recognition for their bowling. Batting was never a doubt for India as the country has always produced quality batsman, but it was the lack of quality bowlers that let India down for so many years.”

“You cannot be confident about winning unless you dismiss all the opposition batsmen. India have been doing that for the past few games and this is no normal feat. They have some of the best bowlers in the world today and one look at their bench strength that truly reflects that.”

The former World Cup-winning captain also heaped praise on skipper Virat Kohli for setting the bar high in terms of fitness and urged older players to rise to the same level.

“India are one of the fittest sides in world cricket now and Kohli should be commended for that. I will take this opportunity to ask Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina to work so hard that fitness shouldn’t be a factor if they get dropped,” he added.

Sandip Patil, yet another expert present on the show, stated that batsmen make matches but it is the bowlers who win matches.

“We have been seeing a collective effort by all our five bowlers game after game and that is why the Aussies are finding it hard to break their rhythm,” said Patil.

However, Kapil Dev reminded once again that real dominance in world cricket will only come when India start winning away from home and keep retaining their number one spot.

“The peak always has a small foothold and India will need to be very strong to stay there for long. Now that it is assured that India are invincible at home, they will have to keep the form in away games too and then only can they acquire world dominance," Dev concluded. 

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