“Every problem can’t be solved by Jasprit Bumrah” - Ex-Indian opener on India’s struggles with bowling in ODIs

Former Indian opener and commentator Aakash Chopra has opened up on India’s concern with their bowling ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup 2027, scheduled to be played next year in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

Speaking on his X handle, Chopra asserted that if the pitch is a bit flat, the Indian bowlers are failing to contain the run-scoring flow in the 50-over format, adding that the Indian team management needs to address it as soon as possible.

"India’s ODI bowling is a concern right? Because I feel they are struggling. If you look at the last few games, if the pitch is flat or there is a big partnership, India struggle to break that partnership. Even if the new-ball bowlers get wickets, what after that? India tried combinations of pace, spin and extra seam-bowling. Oppositions and grounds have changed but the condition remains the game. Whether it was against South Africa in the first two ODIs or if we see all three games against New Zealand, I think we need to find a way to address it,” Aakash Chopra said on X.

Furthermore, he felt that every problem can’t be solved by the Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, to manage his workload.

"Jasprit Bumrah’s absence will be felt and it is believed things will be better when he returns. But every problem can’t be solved by Bumrah. He doesn’t often bowl in the middle overs. I think we need to address it, whether it’s Varun Chakarvarthy or any other leg-spinner. Once, the combination of ‘Kulcha’ was there and they used to take wickets in clumps in middle overs. That partnership broke. I get there is no ODI for six more months and the World Cup is also 18 months away but India’s bowling is a bit of a concern, especially in the middle overs,” he added.

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