Ahmedabad: Among the remarkable feats Jasprit Bumrah accomplishes on the cricket field, one is more likely to remember his ability to dislodge the zing bails behind Dawid Malan during his opening spell or to deliver a yorker that dismissed Mahmudullah in the closing moments of the 2023 ODI World Cup, rather than his off-cutter that curtailed Mohammed Rizwan’s innings in the middle overs, thereby hindering Pakistan's progress.

While wickets taken with the new ball and toe-crushing yorkers are visually striking, it is often in the less glamorous middle overs where matches are truly decided. The debate over whether this phase, which accounts for 60 percent of a 50-over match, should remain unchanged is a topic for another discussion.

During this segment, Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson excel with their deft nudges, precise steers, late cuts, and delicate glances. The only effective strategy to halt their momentum is to dismiss them. With Bumrah in the squad, achieving breakthroughs becomes more feasible. In his absence, however, it can prove to be a challenging endeavor. India, currently one of the leading ODI teams, is acutely aware of this reality.

“That is where the game can swing either way,” remarked Rohit Sharma, India’s captain, on Sunday. “By applying pressure during the middle overs, you create opportunities to alleviate concerns about the death overs. In this format, there is considerable focus on the initial and final phases of the game. However, I believe the middle overs are crucial. In both matches, we secured wickets during this phase, which is essential for curbing run scoring.”

Rohit’s observations gain significance when considering the uncertainty surrounding Bumrah’s fitness. Even if the pace bowler travels to Dubai, his bowling fitness, following a back injury, will remain untested in a competitive setting. Harshit Rana’s aggressive bowling style offers a viable alternative, yet none can match Bumrah’s effectiveness. Should Bumrah be unable to return in time, India may need to bolster their spin options for the middle overs to enhance their wicket-taking capabilities.

India's impressive performance in the previous World Cup was significantly bolstered by the combined efforts of Ravindra Jadeja, who took 12 wickets, and Kuldeep Yadav, who claimed 11. Although Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa led the wicket tally with 17 during that tournament, the partnership between Jadeja and Kuldeep was particularly effective, as they not only secured crucial wickets but also maintained a commendable economy rate.

In the current series against England, Jadeja has once again emerged as a key player, demonstrating his skill with consistent stump-to-stump deliveries during the middle overs. Meanwhile, Axar Patel has struggled to make a substantial impact with the ball, and Kuldeep Yadav has yet to fully recapture his previous form.

Chakravarthy’s mystery

In the second ODI held in Cuttack, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy made his ODI debut. Although his performance (10-0-54-1) did not match the immediate impact he had in the T20 series, his unique bowling style may provide him an advantage over Washington Sundar for a spot in the Champions Trophy squad. The upcoming ODI in Ahmedabad on Wednesday represents his last chance to demonstrate his capabilities before the ICC event.

Axar Patel is already contributing with the bat among the all-rounders, while Hardik Pandya has shown solid fitness in his bowling. Chakravarthy could serve as a backup for Kuldeep Yadav, who has been India’s leading wicket-taker in the middle overs over the past decade, and there is also the possibility of fielding both spinners together. India is set to face Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand during the league phase of the Champions Trophy, with all matches scheduled at the Dubai International Stadium.

The Indian cricket team has experimented with various strategies for middle overs bowling, particularly focusing on spin options. Throughout this period, Pandya has remained a consistent presence among the pace bowlers, providing essential balance to the team. Notably, following the last Champions Trophy in 2017, a pivotal change occurred when R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were replaced by wrist spinners Kuldeep and Yuzvendra Chahal in a bid to secure more wickets.

While Kuldeep and Chahal initially made a significant impact, their effectiveness waned, leading to Jadeja reclaiming his position. Chahal's limitations with the bat subsequently relegated him to a lesser role, paving the way for Chakravarthy, who, despite facing similar challenges, brings a fresh perspective to his bowling, posing greater difficulties for opposing batters.

Additionally, India will be looking for a stronger performance from Mohammed Shami in Ahmedabad. Arshdeep Singh is also expected to participate; despite being a proven performer in T20s, the left-arm bowler has only appeared in eight ODIs. With Rohit Sharma, one of the team's key batsmen, having regained his form in Cuttack, a supportive home crowd will be eager to see Virat Kohli shine. Kohli has not scored a fifty in his last four ODI innings, following a sequence of scores that included 54 and 117.“We want to keep getting better as a team. Nothing specific we want to work on,” said Rohit. “As long as the guys are clear about what they are asked from the team management, there is not much to think about them.”

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