Varun CV, Mohammed Shami Or Kuldeep Yadav? Who Could Be India’s Top Bowler Vs Australia?

Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav [Source: @dindaacademy/X.com]

India won three straight games in the Champions Trophy and concluded their group stages with a bang. Defeating New Zealand from what seemed like a lost match was never easy, however, Varun Chakaravarthy rose to the occasion to script the downfall of the Kiwis.

Likewise, the Men in Blue will need more such heroes with the ball to rise for them against the high-octane semi-final clash against Australia on March 4. As it is rightly said, 'batters win matches and bowlers win tournaments', let's take a deep dive to analyse which of the three star bowlers from India can emerge as the top bowler against Australia. 

1) Varun Chakaravarthy

Varun Chakaravarthy has emerged as India’s enigmatic spin weapon, dazzling with his bag of tricks across formats. His recent form is stellar, a scintillating 5/42 against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy showcased his mastery over pace variations and unorthodox turn, while his T20I dominance against England, 5/24 and 3/23 in back-to-back games, proved his ability to dismantle aggressive lineups. 

Table - Varun Chakaravarthy's Recent Stats

With 20 wickets in his last seven white-ball matches, Chakaravarthy’s precision and mystery make him a threat. However, his lack of experience against Australia looms large. Having never faced their batters, he risks being decoded by a side renowned for dissecting spin. 

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2) Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav’s ODI experience against Australia reveals a bowler capable of breakthroughs but grappling with consistency. Across 22 ODIs, he has taken 31 wickets at an average of 38.3, with his best figures being 3/54. 

Table - Kuldeep Yadav's ODI stats Against Australia

Kuldeep’s recent ODI performances showcase his dual nature, match-winning spells interspersed with off days. Against New Zealand, he took 2/56, exploiting a subtle turn to dismantle the middle order. 

His 3/40 vs Pakistan was a masterclass in wrist-spin deception, however, his 0/43 against Bangladesh exposed struggles on flat tracks where batters targeted his flighted deliveries. Despite this inconsistency, he will be critical, provided that he balances aggression with tighter lines.

3) Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami’s recent ODI performances reveal inconsistency but underline his ability to deliver match-winning spells. In his last three ODIs, he went wicketless against New Zealand and Pakistan but had a stellar 5/53 against Bangladesh, showcasing his lethal seam movement and death-overs mastery. 

Table - Mohammed Shami's ODI Stats Against Australia

This five-wicket haul, coupled with a stellar economy of 4.40 in that game, highlights his knack for bouncing back under pressure. Shami’s ODI numbers against Australia show 39 wickets in 24 ODIs, and his economy of 6.07 showcases control. Hence, Shami being the most experienced of the lot can emerge as a crucial weapon for India.

Who Will Be The Top Bowler For India Among Varun, Shami And Kuldeep?

Given the spin exploits of India in the previous match against New Zealand, a natural choice should be Varun Chakaravarthy as he has proved himself on the big stage. However, given the fact that he was more of a 'bench strength tester' in the final game of the group stage, he might find it difficult to make it to the playing XI against Australia. 

Hence, the only bowler who can rise up to the occasion amidst less experienced Kuldeep and Varun is Mohammed Shami who has earlier proved his mettle against the batting giants.

Shami was a bit rusty with his game in his last two Champions Trophy matches but he will be aiming for a comeback. Being a bit out of rhythm recently, he will be a high-risk, high-reward option and if he strikes early, his psychological hold over Australia’s middle order could tilt the game in India’s favour.

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