Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir has weighed in on the battle for wickets between Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah in the 2023 World Cup, predicting that Shami will emerge with higher figures by the end of the tournament.
Gambhir, speaking on Sportskeeda’s YouTube channel, acknowledged the exceptional performances of both bowlers in the ongoing World Cup. Bumrah, with 15 wickets from eight matches at an average of 15.53, has showcased his prowess. Meanwhile, Shami has been nothing short of impressive, claiming 16 scalps in just four matches, boasting an incredible average of seven.
When asked to predict the leading wicket-taker between the two, Gambhir asserted that it’s a tough one.
“It’s a tricky choice. I’d go with Shami because opponents avoid challenging Jasprit Bumrah. He’s such a skilled bowler that teams hesitate to face him. Often, the top bowler doesn’t top the wickets chart because opponents prefer to play it safe. When you watch Bumrah’s early overs, no one dares to take him on. Many times, the team’s standout bowler maintains an excellent economy rate but doesn’t rack up many wickets,” he said.
Shami’s notable absence from India’s playing XI in the early stages of the World Cup did not hinder his impact. Upon his inclusion in the Indian squad, he delivered outstanding performances, including figures of 5/54, 4/22, 5/18, and 2/18.
Cricket fans will watch closely to see if Gambhir’s guess about the wickets of the two Indian bowlers is right as the World Cup goes on.