Despite India recording a thumping win by 99 runs against Australia in the 2nd ODI of the ongoing series in Indore, former Pakistan captain and legendary batsman Saeed Anwar has pointed out one major concern for Rohit Sharma and co. ahead of the upcoming World Cup 2023.
While Saeed Anwar admitted that after two convincing wins over Australia, which helped India clinch the series, India are now the firm favorite for the home World Cup, the former opener also reckons their is one area of “terrible” concern for the Men In Blue.
And that is their death overs bowling. After Australia slipped to 140/8, and a victory was only a matter of formalities for India, the bowling lost their spark which allowed Sean Abbott – a decent hitter but by no means a proper finisher – to smash 54 runs in 36 balls with 4 fours and 5 sixes. Even Josh Hazlewood, who had scored only 94 runs at a strike rate of 83 in his ODI career before this ODI, whacked two sixes and two fours to score 23 runs in 16 balls.
Although these two knocks from the tailenders didn’t really give India any threat in this game, it further opened up the scares and exposed the long-standing ineffectiveness of the Indian bowlers to blow away the tail, be it any format.
Death bowling a concern for India in World Cup 2023: Saeed Anwar
Saeed Anwar took to Twitter to point this out, stating that India’s death bowling could hinder them from winning the World Cup.
“But that inning of S. Abbott was gorgeous & terrible for India. In addition, I can sum up by saying, that India is the favorite to win the WC, but those small boundaries & death bowling will be the cause to prevent them,” Saeed Anwar tweeted.
It should also be noted that India were without both Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in this match.
The third ODI will be played on September 27 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot. For this third ODI, India, having sealed the series already, have decided to give rest to Shubman Gill, and Shardul Thakur while Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will make their return to the XI after being rested from the first two ODIs.
