Team India have won all six matches in the ongoing World Cup.
Invited to bat first, the hosts posted 229/9 in their allotted 50 overs on a sluggish surface. Skipper Rohit Sharma top scored with 87 while Suryakumar Yadav chipped in with a crucial 49-run knock.
Defending the small total, the pace duo of Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah ran through the English batting line-up. Shami picked up four wickets (4-22) in his 7 overs while Bumrah returned with the figures of 3 for 32 in his 6.5 overs, helping India bundle out England for 129 in 34.5 overs.
After the game, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar heaped praise on India’s bowling attack, calling it a ‘ruthless’ one.
"With Shami coming in, India's bowling template has changed completely. England ko to andha kar diya Shami aur Bumrah ne. They didn't let England breathe. Then there are (Ravindra) Jadeja and Kuldeep (Yadav). This is becoming a ruthless bowling attack," said Akhtar on his YouTube channel.
Shami was included in the playing XI after India were forced to change their playing combination due to Hardik Pandya’s ankle injury.
As it turned out, the right-arm quick instantly made an impact with a five-wicket haul (5/54) against New Zealand in Dharamsala last week. He carried on his brilliance and demolished the England line-up in Lucknow to ensure India’s unbeaten streak in the showpiece tournament.
"People used to say India win matches with batting. See today, they are doing it with bowling as well. They had to defend 229 and won by 100 runs! That's a huge thing! Hats off to the Indian bowling, especially Bumrah, very very smart fast bowler," Akhtar added.
India have three round-robin games in this World Cup, which prompted Akhtar to say that it's a matter of five days for the Men in Blue to lift the coveted trophy.
"India now need five good days to win the World Cup. If they go the final unbeaten and win the title, it will be a world record. I have never seen that, winning the World Cup without losing (a single match). I hope they don't have a bad luck in the semifinal or final," he stated.
Shoaib Akhtar warned India against dropping anyone from their bowling unit once Hardik Pandya returns after regaining fitness.
"A half-fit Hardik Pandya is not good for the Indian bowling attack because they may drop one bowler (to bring him in)...You can drop (Shreyas) Iyer if Hardik comes in, but don't drop anyone from your bowling unit," he said.
Akthar also gave a befitting reply to people questioning him for praising the Indian team.
"Log kehte hain aap India ki tareef karte hain. To kya tareef na karu? (people question me when I praise India, why shouldn't I?),” he said.
"Defending 230 they win by 100-run margin, to mai tareef na karu? Come on, they are playing very good cricket. They deserve all the admiration and adulation," he concluded.