In the assessment of Ravi Shastri, India's quest for another ICC title might be delayed by three more World Cups if they fail to capitalize on their current dominance.
Speaking on the Club Prairie Fire podcast alongside Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan, the former India head coach emphasized the urgency for success, noting that the majority of the squad is currently at their peak performance, offering India a prime opportunity to end their ICC title drought.
Shastri expressed the significance of the ongoing World Cup, stating that if India misses the chance this time, they might have to wait for another three editions before realistically contending for the title again. He highlighted the exceptional form of the players and the favourable conditions, identifying this as perhaps their last World Cup together.
"If they miss out this time, they would probably have to wait another three World Cups for even thinking of trying to win it. The pool of players are such the 7-8 players are at their peak,” Shastri said.
"This could well be their last World Cup. The way they are playing, given the conditions, they have got the team to win it," he added.
The bowling prowess of the Indian team, particularly the pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj, has been a standout feature in the competition. Shastri hailed the current crop of bowlers as the best India has ever had, attributing their success to years of playing together and understanding the nuances of consistent, effective bowling.
In analysing their performance, Shastri commended the bowlers for their disciplined approach, focusing on consistent lengths and strategic seam positions. He noted the rarity of short balls in this World Cup, highlighting their utilization as surprise weapons. According to Shastri, the bowlers have primarily targeted the stumps, employing three-quarter lengths, resulting in the best bowling attack in the last 50 years of white-ball cricket.
Shastri's insights underscore the critical juncture for India in the current World Cup and the unique strength of their bowling unit, suggesting that success in this edition is pivotal for the team's future aspirations in world cricket.
(With agency inputs)
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