The ODI World Cup is just around the corner and teams are getting ready to set the stage on fire. Two of the favourites to go the distance in the form of hosts India and the five-time champions, Australia, will go head-to-head in a three-match ODI series prior to the World Cup, with the first game taking place at IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Friday, September 22.
Former India opener Abhinav Mukund identified Adam Zampa and Mitchell Starc as the two biggest threats to India. Speaking about Zampa, the Tamil Nadu batter advised the Indian team to take the attack to the leg-spinner, noting that he isn’t a huge turner of the ball.
“I think Adam Zampa and Mitchell Starc will be the biggest threats to India. The way Zampa has bowled against India, not necessarily in the IPL, but when he turns up for Australia, he’s a different beast altogether. I think it’s because of the way he’s used and the protection he has from the seamers around him. If they’ve got Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, I think Adam Zampa becomes even more crucial,” Mukund said in a conversation on JioCinema’s ‘Home of the Blues’.
“He’s always bowled well against India. He’s bowled well against Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. I feel India should take on Zampa more and understand that he’s not a big turner of the ball. He’s brought in a variation of a googly of late, but it’s more of a toppy, like how Yuzvendra Chahal bowls it,” Mukund further added.
Adam Zampa’s numbers in ODI cricket against India
The 31-year-old has picked up 31 wickets in 19 ODIs against the ‘Men in Blue’. He averages 30.70 and has a strike rate of 33 and an economy rate of 5.56. Adam Zampa has a couple of four-wicket hauls as well, with his best figures of 4/45 coming earlier this year, in Chennai.
In India, Zampa has played 14 games and has picked up 24 wickets at an average of 29.45 and a strike rate of 31.20. He has an economy rate of 5.65, which is on the higher side, but considering the fact that he has been a wicket-taker, Pat Cummins wouldn’t mind him going for a few runs once in a while.