The bowling department of the Indian cricket team has shocked everyone, including the fans back home. India has also become the only team to dismiss their opponents 7 times in a row. It all began with the most anticipated match against Pakistan and then continued with South Africa, UAE, West Indies, Ireland, Zimbabwe and then in the quarter final match against Bangladesh. In each of the match, the bowling unit of team India has dismissed all the batsmen making it 70 out of 70.
This also triggered few jokes like ‘India ke saath kheloge toh sabko batting milega‘. Hope this comes true against Australia as well in the semi-final match. However today we will take a look at how many bowlers have got how many wickets in their bag, off the the 70.
1. Mohammed Shami : 17 Wickets
The highest wicket-taker for India in this World Cup, Shami has peaked at the right time and is one of the main reason for team India to be considered the favorites right now. Off the 70, 17 have been picked by him. Shami also gave credits to SHoiab Akhtar for him improved form in bowling as he got some valuable tips from the ex-Pakistani quickie.
Total : 17
2. Umesh Yadav : 14 Wickets
Mohammed Shami has got good support in the form Umesh Yadav, as he has picked up 14 wickets so far in the tournament and kept the batsmen on their toes. He has been working closely with Wasim Akram in IPL and also got tips from Akhtar, which might have surely helped him to make use of his strong arms to bowl quick.
Total: 17+14= 31
3. Ravichandran Ashwin : 12 Wickets
Ashwin, who didn’t make much of an impression in the tri-series has bowled extremely well in the World Cup. When the fast bowling was hammered by Ireland batsmen, shwin came in and put a break on the run rate. He also got his career best in that match. His bowling has made sure that the opposition don’t get easy run in the middle overs.
Total : 17+14+12= 43
4. Mohit Sharma : 11 Wickets
Mohit got into the team as a replacement for Ishanth Sharma, but later became a regular in the team after Bhuvneshwar Kumar didn’t show great promise, who was also returning from a injury. Mohit has come in good as a first change bowler and has also managed to continue the pressure built by Shami and Yadav in the first 10 overs.
Total: 17+14+12+11= 54 Wickets
5. Ravindra Jadeja : 9 Wickets
Jadeja hasn’t quiet been able to make an impact with the bat, but has done his job pretty well with ball. He has picked up 9 wickets and more importantly filled in the spot for the 5th bowler for India.
Total: 17+14+12+11+9= 63 WIckets
6. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Suresh Raina : 1 Wicket Each
Bhuvneshwar Kumar came in to play just one match, when Shami was injured. He did bowl well but couldn’t cement his place in the team as other bowlers has also bowled extremely well. But his bowling in one match has comforted the captain that, his bench strength is strong enough to replace any pacer if required. Suresh Raina on the other hand has bowled few overs, mainly to run through middle overs for the captain and not let the opposition plan anything. His strategy has worked fine as Raina has also managed to pick up one wicket so far and also control the run rate.
Total: 17+14+12+11+9+1+1= 65 Wickets
7. Fielding : 5 Wickets
The youth brigade of the Indian team has fielded very well, as they have effected 5 run outs in 7 matches so far, which also includes a crucial one of AB de Villiers. With these 5 wickets, the fielding unit has made a great contribution to dismiss all the 7 teams India has played so far.
GRAND TOTAL: 17+14+12+11+9+1+1+5= 70 Wickets.