Indian fast bowlers can knock off any team in Champions Trophy: Ishant Sharma

Indian team has been playing exceptionally well in English conditions and have had two thumping victories against two quality side in their warm-up matches. Watching the current performances of the Indian team and considering the history, Indian fast bowler, Ishant Sharma believes that the defending champions can defend their title and Indian bowlers will prove to be an important part of it.

In an interview, he claimed that Indian fast bowlers have too much firepower and can upstage any team. Being in the know of the conditions really well, he believes that the overcast conditions in England will favour the Indian fast bowlers and in lieu of it, they can upset any opposition. He believes that a lethal bowling line up is more dangerous than a power-packed batting order.

“The Indian pace bowlers are very proficient and will be effective in England. But the important thing is they have the confidence and the self-belief to perform in every situation. All of them have played in high-pressure games and have the experience of every circumstance. I am sure they will do well,” he was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

Ishant the game changer, who played an important role for India in 2013 Champions Trophy further went on to say, ”They have the capability to exploit the conditions and in conditions suitable for fast bowling they have the capability to pick up 20 wickets and knock off any team”.

“Umesh Yadav has been bowling well, so too Jasprit Bumrah who is a good ODI death bowler. He can bowl good yorkers,” he further added.

Indian pacers

India has made the right selection adding four in-form fast bowlers who have been playing exceptionally well and have delivered what has been asked of them in the past.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is coming from a great IPL season, which will boost his confidence going into the “mini World Cup”. With Umesh’s ability to generate extra pace from the wicket and Bumrah’s lethal bowling action have the ability to upset best batting sides in the world. On the other hand, Mohammed Shami had a decent outing in India’s two practice games. In overcast conditions, he is the master of swing and troubles top class batsmen.

Ishant on his ODI career

All four fast bowlers are going with a good frame of mind and Ishant who has been an integral part of Indian Test team, but hasn’t been a part of ODI setup since he last featured in a match against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 23, 2016 said, “Yes, I know that I haven’t done well in the shorter format but that doesn’t mean I want to play only Test cricket. I don’t want to be branded as a Test specialist. If you see my ODI record it’s not a bad record.”

“But this is the bad thing of in our country – If you have one bad series or if you have not performed well in 2-4 games, then you are branded as a bowler suitable only for one format,” he concluded.