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'It'll lead to a hole if he isn't available...': Aaron Finch fires massive World Cup warning to Rohit Sharma's India
Fancying India's chances at the ODI World Cup, ex-Australian skipper Aaron Finch observed that the Men In Blue have a formidable middle-order and the former champions are also loaded with great spin options at their disposal.
India have suffered multiple injury setbacks in the lead-up to the ICC World Cup which will be hosted by the two-time champions later this year. Rohit Sharma's men will be without superstar Rishabh Pant, who is expected to miss the entire 2023 season after suffering multiple injuries in a tragic car crash last year. Besides wicketkeeper Pant, premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah and middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer have also missed a major portion of the 2023 season due to their respective recurring back injuries.
Middle-order batter Iyer was ruled out of the entire white-ball series against Australia due to a recurring back injury. Expected to miss at least six months of international cricket, star pacer Bumrah recently underwent surgery in New Zealand. Bumrah was not named in Team India's squad for the Asia Cup last year due to a back injury. The injured pacer is also expected to miss the forthcoming edition of the Asia Cup in 2023.
Discussing Team India's strengths and weaknesses amid the ongoing One Day International (ODI) series against Australia, former Australian skipper Aaron Finch opined that the hosts might struggle to take wickets at crucial junctures if Bumrah fails to make the cut for the ODI World Cup. "I think getting Jasprit Bumrah back is vital for India. He is the best in the world when he is up and running. So, if he is not available, that will probably lead to a hole in the innings in terms of wicket-taking ability because he is so dangerous," Finch told TimesofIndia.
Before the ODI World Cup, India will meet Australia in the final of the ICC World Test Championship at the Oval. Fancying India's chances at the ODI World Cup, ex-Australian skipper Finch observed that the Men In Blue have a formidable middle-order and the former champions are also loaded with great spin options at their disposal. Under the leadership of veteran opener Rohit, Virat Kohli-starrer Team India will hope to end their World Cup drought in the 2023 edition of the ICC event.
"But if the Indian opening combination, gets a good platform, then the rest of the team can be aggressive. There is power in the middle order with Hardik and Sky being there. There are not many weaknesses in the Indian team. They have got great spin options and very good fast bowlers. What will come down to in the World Cup will be execution on a particular day - a spell from a particular bowler or an innings from a batsman," added Finch, who played 5 Tests, 146 ODIs and 103 T20Is for Australia.
