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#INDvWI: Crucial Phase For Shami And Umesh With World Cup In Focus

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The Indian pace attack quartet has been one of the focal points of discussion as India are heading into the ICC World Cup 2019 in England. Interestingly, the coveted event is less than 8 months away. The Men in Blue have 17 ODI matches to get everything sorted, before the World Cup begins in May 2019.
Most of the things look set and there is an identification of players as well as to who are the likely candidates that will be on the flight to England. But one area that needs to be looked upon is the back-up pace bowlers that will be needed to support premier names Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah.
The management will have to identify two more pacers in addition to make the 15-man squad in England. In the ongoing series against the West Indies, two senior men in Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav were selected to have a crack.
This series is crucial for both the players to regain the confidence in this format. The duo featured in the first ODI and needs to work harder in order to be more productive. The question lies, can Shami and Umesh make it count and be the assured names in the squad flying to England? Here we analyse.

How could India line-up in England?

The Virat Kohli-led Indian ODI team are likely to have 4 premium pacers in the squad. With the conditions providing assistance for pacers, India need a solid pace battery. As every team will be playing 9 matches before the knockouts, India would want to have the pace battery in form. So expect all of them to get game time.
Besides 4 options, India have all-rounder Hardik Pandya providing the option as the fifth bowler. He is the go to bowler Kohli will fall upon. For now the equation is pretty simple. The Indian line-up will see two premier pacers, Hardik as the pace all-rounder and two spinners in the starting XI.
In matches if Kohli decides to field three pacers, then one out of the two back-up options will make the cut.

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The case of Shami and Umesh

Shami can face a tough time in the current set up (Image: Deccan Chronicle)

The likes of Shami and Umesh, who have done remarkably well in Tests, have found themselves in and out of the ODI set-up. Shami in particular has been a major example.
Therefore this call-up against the Windies means a lot in terms of tilting the favour in their side. Shami finished with 2/81 and Umesh had figures of 0/64 in their quota off 10 overs in the first ODI in Guwahati. If you look at their show, one would feel it wasn’t as impressive one would have liked.
So now it is highly crucial for the duo to make most of the chances in the remaining matches of the series. Consistency and bowling well at the death will be the most important feature here. Yes the conditions will be tricky as batting often gets the onus with spinners purchasing help. But the pace duo have shown in Tests that they can extract something in Indian pitches.

Why a productive outing is essential?

A productive series of performances could hand the two senior pacers a berth in the squad in Australia and New Zealand. That’s where India play their next two ODI series in early 2019. If they manage to impress the management, then there’s no doubt that they will get to be in the mix and be a part of the squad could enhance their reputation ahead of the World Cup.
The wicket-taking bowlers have the desired experience, and should use these outings to force the selectors in choosing them. Right-arm pacer Shami last played two ODIs in 2017 and prior to that he played in 2015. Post 2015, things haven’t gone as planned and he played just three ODI matches.
Umesh on the other hand, has been in the reckoning in this same period, but he has not got a consistent series of matches.
He was dropped for the Asia Cup in September and got to the side after replacing an injured Shardul Thakur for the series versus WI.

Shami, Umesh were terrific in 2015 WC

Umesh and Shami were exceptional in 2015 (Image: The Telegraph)

When one looks back in time, the 2015 World Cup was indeed a special one for both Shami and Umesh. The duo helped India rattle opponents with their pace and bounce in Australia. Umesh was the star as he picked 18 wickets in the event and ended as the third highest wicket-taker.
Shami got 17 and complimented Umesh in every match they played together. Their contributions should not be overlooked. So this highlights that the pair have the character to do well in mega tournaments. If India need solid back-ups to Bhuvi and Bumrah, then they can have a shout going by experience.
In 74 ODIs, Umesh has 105 scalps to his name. Shami on the other hand, has an impressive 93 wickets in 51 matches. Both have economy rates of just under 6, which is key in this format. The numbers show that wickets aren’t an issue for them.
Also both have played in England and are familiar with the conditions. Since they have been regulars in Test squad, this means that they share an excellent rapport with regulars Bhuvi and Bumrah. That is an advantage that bodes well for the pace attack.

Khaleel an option that challenges the duo

The new fast bowling sensation, Khaleeel could find himself in the World Cup squad (Image; India Times)

India have the option of left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed. He is just 3 ODIs old, but the management is keen to have a left-arm pacer in the side to offer different variations. Post Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra era, India haven’t had a left-arm pacer.
So the idea is that Khaleel is the one the team is keen to groom for the future.
Khaleel picked 1/63 in the opening match. Up till the World Cup one expects him to be in the mix and be helped by the senior players. If he gets some consistency and develops his rawness, this could leave either Shami or Umesh out of the 15-man squad.
Therefore this series against the WI, is crucial for all the three pacers in particular. India are keen in having options and Khaleel does just that. These are the genuine three options India have going forward.
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