Ahead of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 in India, the Men in Blue defeated Australia in the first match of their three-match ODI series on Friday at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. After India restricted Australia to 276 runs in the first ODI, former India pacer Ashish Nehra and opener Virender Sehwag discussed India's ideal pace combination for the World Cup.
With just a couple of weeks remaining for the ODI World Cup 2023, Team India are looking strong in their bowling department with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami. However, this has also led to speculations about who will feature in India's Playing XI for the World Cup.
India rested Asia Cup 2023 star Mohammed Siraj and named Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Shardul Thakur as their pacers against Australia in the first ODI. While Sehwag believed Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj should lead India in the pace bowling department, Ashish Nehra picked his two pacers for India's playing XI in the World Cup. In a video shared by Cricbuzz, the Gujarat Titans coach picked Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami in his starting lineup.
Watch the video here:
Mohammed Shami was named the Man of the Match for his bowling figures of 5 for 51 in 10 overs against Australia to give a winning start to Team India in the three-match ODI series. Nehra heaped praise on Shami's performance and backed the Gujarat Titans pacer to start for Team India in the World Cup. Sehwag also praised Shami and believed that the 33-year-old performed well due to his experience.