Sitting on high of the factors desk as the one unbeaten group within the match, India have excelled in all departments of the sport persistently, barring the common batting present of their final match in opposition to England in Lucknow.
Batting first for the primary time within the match, India put up simply 229/9 on the board. It made England the favourites, however solely till Mohammed Shami (4/22) and Jasprit Bumrah (3/32) got here out respiratory fireplace to destroy the English group’s run-chase. India went on to win the match by 100 runs, which turned defending champions England’s poor present within the match poorer.
England have misplaced 5 of their six matches within the match and are nearly knocked out of the match.
“With Shami coming in, India’s bowling template has modified utterly,” stated Akhtar on his YouTube channel. “England ko to andha kar diya Shami aur Bumrah ne. They did not let England breathe. Then there are (Ravindra) Jadeja and Kuldeep (Yadav). That is changing into a ruthless bowling assault.”
Shami discovered a spot in India’s taking part in eleven after Hardik Pandya injured his ankle within the match in opposition to Bangladesh. Hardik has since been recuperating and missed the video games in opposition to New Zealand and England. Grabbing his probability, Shami took 5 wickets in opposition to the Kiwis and 4 in opposition to England.
“Individuals used to say India win matches with batting. See as we speak, they’re doing it with bowling as properly. They needed to defend 229 and received by 100 runs! That is an enormous factor! Hats off to the Indian bowling, particularly Bumrah, very very good quick bowler,” Akhtar added.
India have three round-robin matches left to play – in opposition to Sri Lanka, South Africa and the Netherlands, which prompted Akhtar so as to add that it is a matter of 5 days now for India to clinch their third ODI World Cup trophy.
“India now want 5 good days to win the World Cup. In the event that they go the ultimate unbeaten and win the title, will probably be a world report. I’ve by no means seen that, profitable the World Cup with out dropping (a single match). I hope they do not have a nasty luck within the semifinal or remaining,” stated Akhtar.
The fast-bowling nice warned India in opposition to dropping anybody from their bowling unit as soon as Hardik returns match.
“A half-fit Hardik Pandya isn’t good for the Indian bowling assault as a result of they might drop one bowler (to convey him in)…You’ll be able to drop (Shreyas) Iyer if Hardik is available in, however do not drop anybody out of your bowling unit,” he stated.
Akthar additionally identified those that query him for praising the Indian group.
“Log kehte hain aap India ki tareef karte hain. To kya tareef na karu? (individuals query me after I reward India, why should not I?), stated Akthar.
“Defending 230 they win by 100-run margin, to mai tareef na karu? Come on, they’re taking part in excellent cricket. They deserve all of the admiration and adulation,” he concluded.
India will subsequent tackle Sri Lanka of their seventh match of the match on November 2 in Mumbai.
