After the 0-3 defeat to South Africa, there are lots of questions in front of the Indian team management. The search for an all-rounder, along with the middle-order issues have been bothering India for a long time. But there is another cause of concern for team India.
After the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, they have the highest bowling average (46.32) in ODIs. India have lost 12 of the 24 ODIs in this period. The bowling average for all the countries has been 32.23. India’s is almost 1.5 times more than the standard. In this article, we look at the bowling stats to analyze India’s bowling and what has been missing.
In this span, India have lost a series in South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. Before the 2019 WC, India managed to win in all three countries beating South Africa 5-1, New Zealand 4-1, and Australia 2-1
The strike rate has doubled this time around in South Africa and New Zealand than the previous tour, with India taking too long to pick up a wicket. In all tours to New Zealand, India picked up a wicket every 41st or 42nd ball. In 2018/19, the strike rate came down to 27, two overs less for one wicket. In 2020, it went up to 58, almost three overs more than normal for a wicket. It can be analyzed that India failed miserably on the bowling front in their most recent tour. The same is the case in South Africa and Australia, where India leaked runs heavily, nearly giving away 7 runs per over.
Opening Partnerships
“Well begun is half done” is true when it comes to ODIs. It is a game of momentum. Be it putting up a good opening stand or picking up wickets in the powerplay, it acts as a domino effect for the rest of the innings. In 24 innings after the 2019 WC, the opposition openers have had eight-century stands and five fifty-run partnerships, and an average of 78.82 against the Indian bowlers. In comparison to how the other three WC semi-finalists have done in this period, India is way behind. In 42 combined innings against these three teams, there are only two-century stands and seven-fifty run partnerships. England average 23.94, Australia 27.31, and New Zealand 33.71 in the same period, which is less than half of what India has conceded.
Spinners lack effectiveness
Indian spinners were the backbone of the team and were one of the prime reasons for their success in ODI’s between the 2017 Champions Trophy and 2019 CWC. India won 38 of the 54 matches in that time frame, second only to England. The spin department averaged 27.55 at an economy of less than five and a strike rate of 33. On average, the opposition scored 100 -4 in 20 overs against the spin bowlers. But after the 2019 CWC, that average has almost doubled (55.39).
Conclusion
A total of seven bowlers have picked up 10 or more wickets for India, but only three of them average above 57. Mohammed Shami has an impressive average of 30.9 but concedes at a high economy of 6.46. Teams are taking fewer risks against Jasprit Bumrah, which is visible in his stats. Going at 5.35 per over but averaging more than 60. India is trying to find an all-rounder, and though Shardul Thakur averages 43 with the bat and can provide quick runs, he has a high economy of over seven with the ball.
Opposition opening partnership flourishing every time, spinners’ effectiveness reduced to half, the search for a sixth bowler who is an all-rounder has had a combined effect and led to India’s poor show with the ball. India plays West Indies in February, and they could go back to the combination of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, along with three other seam options. It’s about trying a combination of the spin duo who have been successful together.