Lakshmipathy Balaji Answers Million-Dollar Question On India's Pace Trio Of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

The India National Cricket Team are all set for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Playing in the home conditions, India are the favorites to lift the trophy this time. However, there are a few concerns that need to be addressed as India prepare for their World Cup campaign. One of them is their pace bowling attack.

Rohit Sharma must be having a big headache deciding the bowling combination for the World Cup. The pace attack comprising Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami are wreaking havoc in the past few months.

Jasprit Bumrah is the leader of the pace attack and he is looking good considering his return from injury after almost a year. Mohammed Siraj was breathing fire in the finals of the Asia Cup 2023 where he picked up his best figures of 6/21 against Sri Lanka taking four wickets in one over and completely rattling the Sri Lankan batting order. Mohammed Shami picked up a five-wicket haul against Australia in the first ODI of the IND vs AUS ODI series.

Now the question is, ‘Should Rohit Sharma play all three of them together in World Cup matches?’, Former India Cricketer and the bowling coach of Chennai Super Kings, Laxmipathy Balaji has expressed his opinion on this question.

Laxmipathy Balaji Wants All Three Pacers To Play For India In Big Games

“Conditions notwithstanding, India should play these three pacers together in the big games like England, Australia, Pakistan and New Zealand. Rotate them in the other games if there is an issue of preserving them in such a long tournament, but there’s no point holding them back in key games. Together they make the best pace attack in the world and why compromise on your strength,” said Laxmipathy Balaji on India playing with three frontline pacers in an interaction with TOI.

“There’s no better containment policy than taking wickets and these three guarantee you wickets at any time of the game. While Bumrah is the most astute pace bowler in the world in limited-overs, Shami’s use of the seam and his high-arm action are absolute assets. And Siraj is the real wild-card who has hit a brilliant patch and is at the peak of his confidence. And all three have genuine pace,” Balaji explained.

The problem with playing three pacers in the team is that Indian Team Management desperately wants a batting lineup that can bat up to No.8 and if all three pacers are to play then Kuldeep Yadav will have to be benched. Laxmipathy Balaji however, was in favour of benching Kuldeep Yadav to play the three frontline pacers.

“Yes, the batting cover is necessary and Ashwin will provide that at No. 8. With Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya also picking themselves in the XI, the Indian team will truly have all bases covered,” Balaji said.

The first match that India will play in this World Cup is against Australia on 8th October and it will be played in Chennai which is a spin-friendly wicket. Now on a spin-friendly track, how can someone expect to drop an in-form spinner like Kuldeep Yadav who has recently taken a five-wicket haul against Pakistan?

“Australia have three left-handers, England have four. Against these teams, Ashwin will get the job done. The likes of Kuldeep and Shardul can be used when necessary,” Balaji argued.

There are still five days remaining for India to play their first match till then there will be suspense as to what will be the team combination for the first few matches. The chances of all three pacers playing together are slim given that Hardik Pandya is a pace-bowling all-rounder and he has been in good form with the bowl.