‘I don’t think the Indian bowling attack is any less to Australia’ – Greg Chappell opines on India’s bowling unit ahead of WTC final

Former Australian cricketer, Greg Chappell, believes that the Indian bowling attack will be an equal match-up for the Australian bowling line-up in the forthcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final. Notably, India and Australia are all set to compete for the coveted ICC (International Cricket Council) title which is scheduled to begin on June 7, at The Oval, in London.

Chappell emphasised that India’s Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravichandran Ashwin are going to be a threat to the Australian batters in the same way that their bowlers do to the Rohit Sharma-led side in the marquee event. 

“I don’t think the Indian bowling attack is any less to Australia. Shami is a very good bowler and Siraj has been in very good rhythm in the IPL. They will pose as much difficulty for the Australians as the Australians will for the Indians,” Chappell said in the Backstage with Boria show.

I think India should go in with two spinners, Ashwin and Jadeja: Chappell

Greg Chappell believes that Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja should be the Indian team’s spinners in the WTC Final. Moreover, he also stated that even if Jadeja fails to pick up many wickets, the star all-rounder would not concede many runs. Besides, he also praised the all-rounder’s batting in Tests in recent years. While speaking of Ashwin, he deemed him as one of the best of his generation who thinks deeply about the game which sets him apart from others.

“If you ask me I think India should go in with two spinners. Ashwin and Jadeja have both been fantastic for India and you need to go in with your best bowlers. And even if Jadeja doesn’t pick too many wickets he will not leak runs and hold one end up. That will give the fast bowlers the breather they need. And Jadeja’s batting has been fantastic at the Test level in the last few years. Coming to Ashwin he is one of the best of this generation. He thinks deep and that stands him apart,” Chappell added.

The 74-year-old went on to say that with Mitchell Starc bowling from over the wicket, Ashwin will have footmarks to utilise starting on day three. He also stated that the veteran Indian spinner has a slight mental edge over the Australians from the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy in which India won by 2-1. He added that if Ashwin bats at number eight, he will be crucial for India.

“With Starc bowling from over the wicket, Ashwin will also have the footmarks to use from day 3 onwards. Also, he has a slight mental edge over the Australians from the last Border Gavaskar Trophy. And when you add his batting at number 8, he is a key player for India and I think they should play both spinners for the simple reason that they are both quality players with plenty of experience,” Chappell concluded.