Team India are all set to open their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in Pallekele on Saturday (September 2).
In the bowling department, the Men in Blue have three genuine pacers, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Mohammed Siraj, to choose from while Kuldeep Yadav is the premier spinner in the squad.
The 17-member squad also features Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur as seam-bowling all-rounders whereas Ravindra Jadeja and Akshar Patel are the spin all-rounders in the side.
Ahead of the marquee clash, former cricketer Gautam Gambhir has warned the Indian team management against fielding Shardul in the playing XI over anyone among Bumrah, Shami and Siraj.
"I will go with three seamers and I will go with three seamers in the World Cup as well, not only here. If you are thinking about playing Shardul Thakur at No. 8 and compromising a fast bowler, I believe it will be the biggest mistake," Gambhir said during a discussion on Star Sports.
Terming Shardul Thakur as “bits and pieces” cricketer, Gambhir added that the Mumbai all-rounder can play the role of a third seamer only in tandem with Hardik Pandya
"Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah can win you games on their own in 10 overs. Shardul Thakur is somewhere or the other bits and pieces. He can be the third seamer alongside Hardik Pandya and give a little bit of batting."
Gambhir didn’t filter his words as he further stated that comprising on a specialist bowler will mean India chasing a target in the range of 300 or 325.
"One thing is extremely clear - do you want to chase 250 or 325? If your bowling is sorted and you have might in your bowling, you will chase 250 or 260. If you compromise on a bowler, you will chase 300 or 325," he remarked.
The cricketer-turned-commentator reckons a team with a potent bowling attack will win the World Cup.
"We always think about strengthening our batting but the team which has a strong bowling attack will only win the World Cup. If your bowling is strong, it will remove the pressure on your batting."
