Bharat Ramaraj
What is that one factor which makes India the favourites going into the T20 World Cup to be played at home and in Sri Lanka? Is it their batting unit? Maybe not. Just delve deeper and it is perhaps their bowling line-up which makes them a feared side. Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav – In summary, India seem to have all their bases covered in the bowling department.
For a moment, leave aside Bumrah, the spearhead of the attack. Instead, just bring into the equation Arshdeep’s skills. The pacer doesn’t just possess the left-arm angle and the ability to move the new ball, but he also has a sound temperament while bowling in the end overs. Reverse swing and a fine surprise short ball further make him a potent force in T20Is. No wonder, he is the leading wicket-taker for India in this format.
Varun Chakaravarthy. The name itself is now synonymous with success in the shortest format. The spinner doesn’t just have variations, but he blends it with some overspin or side-spin. To make matters worse for the batters, it is difficult to decipher the googly from his leg-break. Moreover, Varun has the control and bowling smarts to execute the skills. Is there still something that can go against Varun in the upcoming T20 World Cup? Probably it is that good-old cliche – Law of averages.
Meanwhile, Hardik is a valuable member of the support cast, with the big-hitting all-rounder employing variations and hard length to keep the opponents guessing. Both Axar and Washington Sundar are more than useful defensive options with the ball. Although there are question marks over Washington’s injury.
To gauge India’s bowling prowess, just pore through their recent performance in a T20I versus South Africa in Ahmedabad. With sizeable dew around, South Africa had mounted a stiff challenge – At one point, they were 120 for 1 in the 11th over. Bumrah, Varun and Washington, however, bowled in partnerships and put paid to South Africa’s hopes. Here, it isn’t just about having the necessary ability. But India’s bowling attack also seems to have the mentality that they can prevail in any given situation.
As always, there are a few caveats to add. It could be about Bumrah not being at his very best with the new ball in the recent past. Even though Kuldeep wouldn’t likely be a part of the playing XI at the start of the tournament, it is crystal clear that he has lost some of his mojo. Despite a few chinks, the Indian bowling line-up doesn’t just have the required firepower but there is an aura of impregnability about them.
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