Wasim Akram, the former captain of Pakistan and iconic left-arm fast-bowler, has expressed his belief that India should have adhered to their successful opening bowling strategy in the final of the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup, where they ultimately faced defeat.
In the crucial final on November 19, Indian captain Rohit Sharma deviated from the norm by assigning the new ball to Mohammed Shami instead of Mohammed Siraj, defending a target of 241 against Australia. Although Shami and Jasprit Bumrah managed to claim three wickets collectively, Travis Head's exceptional 137 and Marnus Labuschagne's unbeaten 58 guided Australia to victory.
“If you ask me, I found Siraj to be bowling really well throughout the World Cup, though his wickets column may not suggest that, but the break throughs he gave in Asia Cup and his recent performances have established him as the future of Indian cricket. In this match they straight away brought in Shami and he did have impact on the game right away by getting Warner out, though it was more like Warner got himself out by slashing at a wide ball,” Akram told Star Sports.
Discussing the impact of the match conditions, Akram noted, “Another factor is that after losing the three wickets within the first 15 overs the due set in, which made it easier for batting as the ball wasn’t doing much after that. I’m not taking credit away from Australia’s batting, but it does psychologically affect the bowlers. I think in big games like the finals, teams should always stick to what they have been doing and what’s been working for the.”
Addressing Rohit Sharma's strategy, Akram defended the captain's aggressive approach, stating, “He’s played like that the entire World Cup, that’s his game. Nobody complained throughout the World Cup with the starts he’s giving or that he was constantly getting out in the 40’s, and now that he’s done the same in the finals people are finding a reason to complain.”
“And he’s also one of the best players of spin in the world though he got out to Maxwell in the that game, and credit to Maxwell and Cummins, but that’s the nature of Rohit’s game and I don’t think he should change it,” he added.
Akram also highlighted the significance of scoring quickly in the middle overs, expressing, “If I have to pick any particular reason, I suppose the middle order should have played with a ‘do or die’ mindset. I can understand what was going through Rahul’s mind, that there was no batting to come after Jadeja and that he had to bat deep, and batting deep meant he couldn’t take risks of getting out.”
Reflecting on the team composition, Akram mentioned, “If possibly Hardik was in the team, he probably would take that risk, but if he had taken a risk and gotten out in this situation, then people would have criticised him for that as well. If they had kept pace and scored quickly in the middle overs, then it would have been a different ball game.”
(With Agency inputs)
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