World Cup news: Dravid heaps praise on India's bowlers

Tags: WC Cricket 2015, India, Rahul Sharad Dravid, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami Ahmed, Mohit Mahipal Sharma, Bowlers, Cricwaves Columns

Published on: Mar 13, 2015

Former India skipper Rahul Dravid has termed the fantastic bowling performance by Team India as one of the key reasons behind the success of Team India in the World Cup.

Former India skipper Rahul Dravid has termed the fantastic bowling performance by Team India as one of the key reasons behind the success of Team India in the World Cup. India have been unbeaten in the World Cup thus far, winning are their five matches going into their final pool against the Zimbabweans on Saturday. The fast bowling trio of Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami and Mohit Sharma has picked up 26 wickets in the event so far, and have been miserably in their economy rates as well.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo prior to the game against Zimbabwe, Dravid was lavish in his praise on the Indian bowlers, stating that they have surprised opponents with their excellent bowling efforts, having figured out what line and length to bowl in Australian conditions. "The strategy is very good, they've realised in Australia there's more value in bowling back of a length, hitting the deck, especially as the ball hasn't swung much in Australia, surprisingly in this tournament," Dravid was quoted as saying by Espncricinfo.

He also explained that India's pleasantly surprising success in the tournament has put additional pressure on the opponents. According to Dravid, who played some spectacular knocks in Australia, many oppositions went into the tournament believing that they could attack India's bowling, but that hasn't been the case. India's bowling as well as batting has fired, which has made the task doubly difficult for the opposing sides. India were always expected to do well with the bat, and have done so, but their potent bowling has given them a significant edge in the tournament, as admitted by Dravid.

The former India skipper also praised the efforts of India's lead spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been a standout performer in this World Cup. According to Dravid, it has been the offie's change in mindset that has turned things around for him. "When he started playing international cricket, you could sense the level of confidence, he believed he was there to take wickets, he believed he could control the game. Over the last year or so, he has become defensive. But, here he's bowled slower through the air, and has got the ball to turn," Dravid observed. Ashwin has so far claimed 11 wickets in the tournament at an average of 16.6 and an economy of under 4.

--By A Cricket Analyst

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