The former cricketer Gautam Gambhir feels that the highest wicket-taker for India will be none other than Mohammed Shami in the World Cup 2023.
highest wicket-taker for India in World Cup 2023
The Indian bowling unit reached a classic level during the World Cup 2023. The Indian pace trio has given outstanding performance at the ICC event. India has been successful in the World Cup campaign as they run an unbeaten streak of 8 victories in the group stage.
The pace trio Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj created a ruckus in the opponent’s batting order during the mega event. Out of those Shami is exceptionally impressive as he dismissed 16 wickets. He has been benched for the first four games in the tournament, with Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur as their additional pacers.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya had an ankle injury during the match against Bangladesh which forced the management to change their combination where they brought Shami in as a specialist bowler.
Starting his first game against New Zealand in World Cup 2023, he surpassed all Indian bowlers’ wicket tally within four matches.
India is set to play their ninth and final group-stage match against the Netherlands. On this occasion, former cricketer Gautam Gambhir leaves a huge hint of the bowler who will take the most wickets for India in the tournament.
He said that Shami would end up with more wickets than ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the tournament. Bumrah has only 15 wickets so far with one behind Mohammed Shami despite playing four matches more than Shami.
“I think Shami because people do not take on Jasprit Bumrah. He’s too good a bowler for an opposition to take him on. A lot of times, the best bowler will not have the most number of wickets. The reason is that the opposition thinks let’s see him off. If you observe Jasprit Bumrah’s initial spell, no one wants to take him on. A lot of times, the team’s best bowler would have a very good economy rate, but he won’t have a lot of wickets,” said Gambhir while speaking ahead of the match against Netherlands.
“I feel Shami [will take more wickets], from the point of view that opposition will look to attack him because of Jasprit Bumrah. And he’s bowling one change. I still feel Jasprit Bumrah is the X factor in the team. This Indian team is such a strong team because of him. But Shami will have more wickets,” Gambhir concluded.
With 8 victories in the tournament so far, India will be playing their final group-stage match against the Netherlands on November 12 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
