ICC World Cup 2019: Gautam Gambhir Feels India Lacks One Genuine Pacer for the Showpiece Event

May 16, 2019 at 11:19 AM

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ICC World Cup 2019: Gautam Gambhir Feels India Lacks One Genuine Pacer for the Showpiece Event

Former Team India opener and currently a politician, Gautam Gambhir is of the opinion that Team India lacks one quality fast bowler in their 2019 World Cup squad. The showpiece event is slated to be played in England and Wales from 30th May. The final will be played at the Lord’s Cricket Ground on 14th July. In all likelihood, it should be one of the best World Cups in the recent past especially due to the change of the round robin league format.

There is certainly no doubt about the fact that Team India will be one of the favourites for the 2019 World Cup. They have played some exceptional brand of cricket in the recent past. Barring a series defeat against Australia very recently, India has arguably been one of the two best teams in world cricket at the moment. However, Gautam Gambhir feels that the squad lacks one more quality fast bowler. It must be noted that India already has the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya.

“I feel Indian team lacks one more quality fast bowler. (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammed) Shami and Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) need more support. You may argue that India has two fast bowling all-rounders in Hardik (Pandya) and Vijay Shankar but I am not convinced. In the end, it boils down to getting the team combination right and sticking to it,” Gautam Gambhir said.

India, Jasprit Bumrah, 2019 World Cup, Mohinder Amarnath
Jasprit Bumrah has infused life in the bowling department. Credit: Getty Images

Gautam Gambhir remains the only player who played a pivotal role in helping India win the 2007 World Twenty20 and also the 011 World Cup. He gave the keynote address at the CEAT Cricket Ratings International Awards 2019.

Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir is currently a member of the Lok Sabha elections. He is contesting from the East Delhi constituency for a BJP ticket.

Speaking on the upcoming World Cup, Gautam Gambhir said that it will be an evenly contested tournament. He also lauded the format of the tournament and asked ICC to stick with the same format for the future World Cups as well.

“This will be a well-contested tournament as all the teams play each other. This format will give us the real world champion and I think ICC should stick to this format for all future World Cups.”

Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir also picked Australia, England and New Zealand as the contenders for the coveted title. Besides India, Gambhir feels these 3 teams can make a difference. While England has been a consistent ODI side in the last two years, the form of New Zealand and Australia has been indifferent but have managed to win some of their previous tours.

Mohammed Shami
BCCI

“Besides India, I will be keenly watching Australia as they are a side to beat. They have the most well-rounded bowling attack in the competition. I will also be watching New Zealand and hosts England.”

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