World Cup final: Pat Cummins picks one Indian bowler as big threat

Ahead of the World Cup 2023 final against India, Australia captain Pat Cummins has identified one bowler who could pose a big threat to them on Sunday (November 19) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

On the eve of the big final, Cummins spoke to the media and was asked if he saw any one particular Indian batsman or bowler challenging and this is what he had to say.

“I mean they're all pretty well-rounded in all departments you know the one guy that didn't play at the start of the tournament who's done really well is obviously Mohammed Shami he's a class bowler to right and left armers, so yeah, he's going to be a big one but again that these are guys we’ve played a lot – so all our batters can draw in moments where they've taken on these bowlers and done well,” Cummins said.

When the Australian skipper was asked who else has impressed him in the Indian line-up apart from Shami, he said, “I think again, they're pretty well-rounded. They've got five guys that bowl ten overs pretty much every match. I think their spinners have done well through the middle overs, Kuldeep and Jadeja, so they're going to be a tough proposition like they always are. But you know, they've won every game, so they've been very impressive.”

Despite missing four matches in the tournament, Shami has emerged as the leading wicket-taker in World Cup 2023 with 23 scalps at an impressive average of 9.13 and a strike rate of 10.91.

He has already taken three five-wicket hauls in the World Cup including a best of 7/57 in the semifinal against New Zealand in Mumbai on Wednesday (November 15).

Looking at Shami’s outstanding World Cup so far, it was no surprise that Cummins has picked him as a major threat to Australian batsmen in the summit clash.