Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has voiced his preference for fast bowler Mohammad Shami over all-rounder Shardul Thakur in the playing XI for India’s upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket ODI World Cup clash against Bangladesh.
Shami was conspicuously absent from the initial three ODI World Cup matches. Assessing the pitch conditions, the team management opted for spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the starting lineup against Australia, while the dynamic Shardul Thakur was entrusted with the responsibility in the subsequent two matches against Pakistan and Afghanistan.
“I will always prefer Mohammad Shami because I feel that having two fast-bowling all-rounders in the XI is unnecessary. The team management might be considering Shardul’s batting abilities. While he has performed well in Tests, he hasn’t been able to replicate the same consistency in the shorter format. The think tank might be preparing for a situation where 30 runs are needed off 15 balls, and Shardul’s batting might be more valuable than Shami’s,” stated Manoj Tiwary, the cricket expert for Star Sports Bangla.
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“However, I don’t believe that should be the way forward, as India’s batting order is solid. If the batsmen can’t deliver, Shardul may not have much to offer with the bat down the order. I always believe that taking wickets can stem the flow of runs, and between the two, Shami appears to be in excellent form and is bowling exceptionally well. Therefore, he should be in the lineup against Bangladesh,” he added.
Addressing the India-Bangladesh rivalry, Tiwary emphasized the importance of the upcoming match for both teams. He noted, “This match is crucial for Bangladesh to stay in the competition. They need to win from this point forward. However, India will approach the game with a winning mindset, and I believe they will secure a comfortable victory. A win in this game will propel India ahead of other competitors, making this fixture vital for both teams.”
India is set to face Bangladesh on Thursday at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. With six points from three convincing wins, India aims to continue its winning streak, while Bangladesh seeks to bounce back after suffering two consecutive defeats following their initial ODI World Cup victory.
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