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With three teams securing their spots in the semi-final and the fourth spot almost confirmed after New Zealand’s triumph over Sri Lanka, the ODI World Cup 2023 has entered the intense knockout stage.
Bowlers shine in ODI World Cup
The ODI World Cup 2023 has witnessed exceptional performances from bowlers, with eight players amassing 15 or more wickets in the competition. The race for the highest wicket-taker promises fierce competition.
Notably, former India opener Gautam Gambhir has stepped into the prediction arena, naming the player he believes will lead the wicket-takers’ list.
Gautam Gambhir’s bold prediction
Gambhir singled out Indian pacer Mohammed Shami as his pick for the highest wicket-taker in the tournament. Gambhir, while acknowledging the brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah, believes that opposition teams play Bumrah cautiously, offering Shami more opportunities to take wickets. In Gambhir’s view, Bumrah’s exceptional skill makes opponents wary, often choosing to face Shami instead.
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“I think Shami because people do not take on Jasprit Bumrah. He’s too good a bowler for an opposition to take him on,” said Gambhir on Sportskeeda, emphasizing that the strategy against Bumrah often benefits Shami in accumulating wickets.
Gambhir’s insightful analysis
Gambhir also explained why Shami might outshine Bumrah in the wickets column. According to Gambhir, the tendency to play cautiously against Bumrah results in opposition teams attacking Shami. Despite acknowledging Bumrah as the team’s X factor, Gambhir concludes that Shami will likely end up with more wickets due to the strategic choices made by the opposition.
“I still feel Jasprit Bumrah is the X factor in the team. This Indian team is such a strong team because of him. But Shami will have more wickets,” Gambhir concluded.
