India have always been a wonderful batting unit, with their batsmen playing a huge role in helping Men in Blue emerge victorious during the past. The present squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy, which starts from Thursday, looks balanced in the bowling department as well, and could eventually play an important role in helping India win the ICC event.
India bowlers showed their true strength in their first warm-up match against New Zealand, who were bundled out for 189 runs on Sunday. India will be pleased to see Mohammed Shami among the wickets as the pacer took three wickets. Bhuvneshwar Kumar also picked up three while Ravindra Jadeja picked two.
The Men in Blue managed to beat New Zealand by 45 runs (via D/L method) with rains coming down in the 26th over. Until then, India had scored 129 for three wickets with some good contribution from Kohli, who scored 55-ball 52.
But, this Champions Trophy could be about Indian bowlers. With the likes of Bhuvneshwar, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, who have all come into this event with some good form behind them in the IPL, and with experienced Shami, they have a quality pace attack. Experts have already spoken about the strong attack, and this Champions Trophy's success could be determined by these pacers for India.
Pitches in England will assist bowlers, and India have the likes of Bhuvneshwar, who can take advantage of the seaming conditions. Shami and Bumrah, with their pace and yorkers respectively, will also have to be consistent for India in the Champions Trophy. With Umesh also having bowled well in IPL 2017, Anil Kumble and Kohli need to field the correct pacers in the playing XI.
It is not only about their pace battery. India have R Ashwin, who is regarded as one of the best spinners in the world. And in Ravindra Jadeja, they have a wicket-taking slow left arm to support Ashwin. With Edgbaston being one of the match venues, where the pitches could also assist the slower bowlers, India have the ammunitions for all conditions.
All in all, India's bowling attack looks balanced. They have the pacers, which is always important in English conditions, and the added variety of quality spinners will make them a force in the competition.
With India also possessing dangerous batsmen, Kohli's unit will be one of the teams to beat in England.
