The compliment came from former Team India opener – Lalchand Rajput for Virat Kohli-led Men in Blue ahead of the ICC World Cup 2019. Rajput, who’s currently serving as a chief coach for Zimbabwe maintained India has a potent bowling attack compared to other teams partaking in the ICC’s mega event in the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the tourney will get underway when hosts England takes on South Africa on May 30 in London. On the other hand, India will kick-off their World Cup campaign against South Africa on June 5 at Southampton.
Rajput represented India in four ODIs and two Tests between 1985 and 1987. Photo Credit: BCCI.
Overall, India has yielded desired results with its strong batting line-up. However, much to the delight, the bowling department has infused a new life in the team in the past couple of years.
Pertinently, Rajput, who also had a stint with Afghanistan as a coach, had served as the team manager in 2007 when Team India under the leadership of MS Dhoni lifted the inaugural title of the Twenty20 World Cup.
“I think India has got best bowling attack and we have got a very well balanced team. We have got very good all-rounders and if we look at any other team, India is best equipped for that,” ToI quoted Rajput, as saying.
In the ten-team tournament, the different teams are keen to improve on their bowling side. Notably, the wickets are considered batting friendly during the quadrennial event.
Well, in the ongoing England-Pakistan series, things were evident with the way things have folded in different conditions.
Hardik Pandya as an X-factor: Rajput
He stated that all-rounders play a quintessential role within the team.
“As I said, there are a lot of all-rounders, all-rounders makes a lot of difference and I think we have got good all-rounders, the strikers as well, we got a very heavy top three (batsmen) and that’s very important,” he said.
The 57-year-old Rajput reiterated that all-rounder Hardik Pandya is an X-factor. He maintained India is a team to beat on their day. Furthermore, Rajput feels Ravindra Jadeja is capable of doing his best at the lower batting order.
“…And if it is a good day for our team, it is very difficult to beat them. And Hardik (Pandya) is a great X-factor in the team and (Ravindra) Jadeja who can get going at the lower order,” he added.
Thus, Rajput stated India stands an excellent chance to be one of the semi-finalists at the ODI showpiece.
“So, overall I think we have got a very good chance. And I think we should be in the top four,” Rajput further added.
In conclusion, Rajput asserted India is laced with prominent batters in the top-order. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have done an outstanding job for India, whereas, skipper Virat Kohli has been remarkable particularly with the run-chases.
Overall, he remarked India has a balanced squad for the World Cup.
“Earlier also there was (Virender) Sehwag, Sachin (Tendulkar), now we have got Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit (Sharma) and Virat (Kohli). (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni as usual a great finisher, so we have got a very well balanced team,” Rajput inferred.
Meanwhile, with Jasprit Bumrah spearheading the bowling attack. Besides, Mohammed Shami and Bhuveneshwar Kumar will assist Bumrah in the UK.