World Cup 2019 | Indian team lacks one more quality fast bowler, Gautam Gambhir
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Gautam Gambhir has stated that the Indian bowling attack is lethal but lacks one quality fast bowler for the upcoming World Cup in England and Wales, starting May 30. Gambhir also backed KXIP opener KL Rahul for the No.4 slot in the batting line-up on the back of his pristine form in the IPL.
Gambhir played a crucial role in India’s successful campaign in the 2011 World Cup and has been closely associated with the game as a commentator in recent times. India’s bowling attack has only three specialist fast bowlers in Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Moammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah along with the two being all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Vijay Shankar. The southpaw has stated that India is a bowler short in their 15-man squad for the quadrennial event. Â
“I feel Indian team lacks one more quality fast bowler. (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammed) Shami and Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) need more support. You may argue that India has two fast bowling all-rounders in Hardik (Pandya) and Vijay Shankar but I am not convinced. In the end it boils down to getting the team combination right and sticking to it,” Gambhir said, reported PTI.Â
The current edition of the World Cup is being played in the round-robin format, where every team will get a chance to play against all the opposition. “This will be a well contested tournament as all the teams play each other. This format will give us the real world champion and I think ICC should stick to this format for all future World Cups.”
India’s No. 4 spot has been one of the most debatable ones in recent times and the team has still not managed to find a solution to it. It’s a race between Vijay Shankar, KL Rahul and Dinesh Karthik in all probability. However, Gambhir has been impressed by Rahul’s recent form and feels that the KXIP opener should take guard at 4. Â
“It is about the team management to decide but it will be very crucial to see who bats at No.4. For me, K.L. Rahul should ideally bat at that slot. He is best suited among the others – Dinesh Karthik and Vijay Shankar. He has been in good form in the IPL and I am sure, he is going to carry that form into the World Cup,”Gambhir said, quoted Sportstar.
