Team India’s schedule, with a longer than usual home Test season and the IPL fast approaching has the left the team with insufficient ODI practice, that too, before the all-important Champions Trophy. India, being the defending champions, would have definitely wanted more match-time under their belt before heading to England, the place where they were crowned champions in 2013.
Virat Kohli and his men have had an outstanding season so far, and have only gone from strength to strength with each passing series. Though not ideal, it shouldn’t be too hard to translate their Test and T20 form into the fifty over format.
England’s pitches and conditions are ideally suited for pace bowlers. So, it goes without saying that the Indian squad should have a bowling arsenal that suits the conditions. Indian seam bowling has shown great improvement in recent times, and there are quite a few exciting prospects going into the tournament.
Let’s take a look at some of the top pacers at India’s disposal for the Champions Trophy:
#5 Umesh Yadav
What Yadav brings to the table is raw pace and he is a genuine wicket taking option. There have been times when he has ben taken to the cleaners, but what can’t be denied is that he can break partnerships. His threat will be amplified in English conditions, and that surely makes a case for him to be in the Indian squad.
He had a decent Test series against England in conditions not ideally suited for his bowling. If he can be more economical, then he could be a deadly asset for India in limited-overs cricket as well. He is one of India’s only genuine fast bowlers, clocking in excess of 150 kmph at times, and should be persisted with.
He can offer variety to the Indian attack, and his aggressive bowling could prove effective in tandem with other bowlers, who give very little away. Indian cricket fans will hope Yadav finally delivers on his potential during the much-awaited Champions Trophy.
#4 Mohammed Shami
Shami is easily one of India’s finest pacers going around. He brings an X-factor into the team, with his slippery pace coupled with swing and deadly accuracy. He hasn’t played an ODI since the 2015 World Cup, where he was India’s best bowler by far.
Even with all his talent, Shami has been prone to injuries. He is still nursing a right knee injury from the Mohali Test. If he recovers in time for the Champions trophy and is match fit, he will walk into the Indian squad, for he is too good a talent to be ignored.
It’s indeed a mouth-watering prospect to picture Bumrah and Shami bowling in tandem for Indian fans. All invested in Indian cricket will be hoping Shami makes a speedy recovery and is on the flight to England in June.
#3 Ashish Nehra
The next name on the list is a man who played his last official ODI on 30th March, 2011. Ashish Nehra’s last ODI was in the 2011 World Cup semi-final against arch-rivals Pakistan. He was the best bowler on the night, taking two scalps for only 33 runs in his quota of 10 overs. He fractured his right middle finger, and subsequently missed the final, and couldn’t find his place back in the Indian ODI team ever since.
Nehra, the oldest player on this list, will be 38 if he plays in England. Age has been just a number for this veteran, and he has been lethal up front and in the death for India in T20s. If he shows improved fitness, Kohli and co will be greatly benefited by his services.
With Nehra, teams don’t just get his bowling capability, but also his cricketing brain. His fitness will definitely be under the microscope, but it won’t come as a surprise if he is included in the squad that heads out to England in June.
#2 Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvi has delivered in whatever limited opportunities he has been given. What he lacks in raw pace, he makes up for with a high degree of control and accuracy. He is probably one of the most underrated bowlers on the Indian circuit, and it’s about time he is given a longer run to establish himself.
He has managed to add a few yards of pace to his arsenal, and has tremendously improved as a death bowler in recent times. He can prove to be a vital cog in the Indian setup going into the swing conductive conditions of England. On a swinging track, he is worth his weight in gold.
For India to succeed, Kohli should definitely learn to better utilise Bhuvneshwar Kumar, come the Champions Trophy.
#1 Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah has been the find of the Indian team in 2016. Making his debut in January Down Under, his performances have assured him of a spot in the Indian playing XI, and he is a certainty for the Champions Trophy squad.
Bumrah’s unorthodox action and lethal yorkers bowled at pace has made him India’s go-to bowler in limited overs cricket. His stock in T20 cricket has been constantly on the rise and as evidenced by his record number of wickets in T20Is in a calendar year.
He has translated his T20 form to one-day cricket as well, and there has been no looking back for the 23-year-old from Gujarat. He helped India to a famous win against the English side in the 2nd T20I in Nagpur, giving away only two runs in the last over, assuring them of a five-run win over a batting-heavy England side.
India’s fortunes in England will be heavily dependent on Bumrah’s form.
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