World Cup 2023 | Can't say this is India's best pace attack: Sourav Ganguly
In the 2003 World Cup, (Ashish) Nehra, Zaheer (Khan), and (Javagal) Srinath also bowled brilliantly, said the former Indian skipper
With Team India continuing its dream run in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023, its fiery pace attack comprising Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah has been showered with lavish praise by one and all. However, former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly has dismissed this opinion and put forth an example of India’s bowling attack in the 2003 World Cup.
“I can’t say this is the best-ever Indian pace attack to date. In the 2003 World Cup, (Ashish) Nehra, Zaheer (Khan), and (Javagal) Srinath also bowled brilliantly,” Ganguly told Sports Tak. “But yeah, it’s exciting to see Bumrah, Shami and Siraj bowl. It's a big difference when you have Bumrah. There's pressure from both ends as it is always about bowing in pairs. Bumrah makes a massive impact on the other two as well,” he added.
Shami didn’t get an opportunity to play in the first four matches of the ongoing World Cup. Ganguly agreed with the fact that the star pacer should have been included in the team from the very beginning of the tournament. “Yes, Shami should have played in the XI a lot earlier. Look at the impact he has made,” said Ganguly.
With 16 wickets in just 4 matches, Shami boasts an impressive average of 7 and an economy rate of 4.3. Bumrah closely follows with 15 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 15.53 and an economy rate of 3.65. Jadeja leads the spin department with 14 scalps in 8 matches, while Kuldeep and Siraj have contributed with 12 and 10 wickets, respectively.
On the other hand, the Indian pace triumvirate of Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan, and Javagal Srinath were in formidable form during the World Cup 2003 in South Africa. Khan finished with 18 wickets to his name, while Srianth and Nehra boasted of having 16 and 15 scalps to their name respectively.