Batting has always been Team India’s strength but in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup their three-pronged pace attack will also be a threat to the opposition.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a key cog of India’s seam bowling attack in the 15-member World Cup 2019 squad, has also issued a warning to his rivals ahead of the ICC mega event, starting on May 30 in England and Wales.
Kumar’s ability to move the ball offsets his lack of pace and like any other swing bowler, he is looking forward to making the most of the English conditions that encourage his craft.
“I agree that pitches in England in the last few years have been flat, but teams will be wary of India’s bowling unit since we can be potent both at the start and at the death,” he said while speaking to the Times of India newspaper.
“It will all boil down to how we execute the plans on the given day.”
Besides Bhuvi, a fitter Mohammed Shami has emerged as a strike bowler while Jasprit Bumrah is currently the top ranked ODI bowler famed for his yorkers and death-overs mastery.
Experts believe that skipper Virat Kohli is blessed to have at his disposal arguably the best ever Indian pace attack but Kumar was keener to talk about their versatility.
“I don’t want to comment on whether we are the best or not because our performance in the field is what will define our attack,” said the 29-year-old bowler from Meerut.
“Our performances over the last few years speak for us. The Indian bowling attack has grown from strength to strength.
“Today we can say that our pace attack can make an impact on any surface.”
Kumar also talked about his own improvement as a bowler since playing the first ODI World Cup four years ago.
“There has definitely been an improvement in my bowling in terms of pace and variations like the slower ball and knuckle-ball.
“To add to that, I have improved fitness-wise.”
The Men in Blue will begin their 2019 World Cup campaign against South Africa in Southampton on June 5.
