Indian bowline line-up features the best bowlers of current bowling crop around the world. Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami form a very unique bowling arsenal altogether. On the other hand, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal’s wrist spin magic leaves the oppositions guessing the variations. And, Virat Kohli is over the moon seeing them all in his team before the World Cup.
The same was on show during the first One-Day International against Australia in Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, where visitors only managed 236/7 in their allotted 50 overs. Shami, Bumrah and Yadav – all grabbed two wickets apiece and rattled Australia’s hopes to score a mountainous total for India.
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Indian skipper Virat Kohli was overjoyed after this satisfying performance from his bowlers. Speaking during the post-match presentation, he praised Ravindra Jadeja for an economical spell, where he only conceded 33 runs in 10 overs.
“Ten overs for less than 35 is brilliant on this pitch (On Jadeja). He set his fields, it was great to see. He was all geared up that ‘I’m gonna finish the game, I just want an opportunity.’ He looks in a great shape and that’s good for the team,” he said.
Mohammad Shami was breathing fire since the word go. He bowled beautifully during his first spell and only conceded six runs in his first four overs, which included two maidens. Shami’s exceptional comeback in the white-ball setup left Kohli in praises.
“The way Shami has come back into the white-ball set-up after his Test performances, have never seen him so lean before. He has lost 5-6 kgs. He’s running in and bowling so well. The lines and length he’s bowling; got Maxi on 40-odd out with a beautiful ball,” Indian skipper quoted.
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“He has the wicket-taking ability and he’s hungry for wickets. Heading into the WC, it’s a great sign for team India. If he can stay hungry like this and look for wickets and he has the ability to back it up with Bumrah and Kuldeep, it’s gonna be great to stand in the field and watch.”
India won the first One-Day International by six wickets with the help of timely half-centuries from Kedar Jadhav (81*) and MS Dhoni (59*) in 48.2 overs. The second ODI will be played in Nagpur’s Vidarbha Cricket Association this Tuesday.
