Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are in competition for a place in the XI.
India's number 4 concerns have been talked about in length over the last few months. However, as the team prepares for the tournament in England, another dilemma has struck Virat Kohli and the camp.
Mohammed Shami has been impressive in the limited-overs format for India in the last few months. He has been one of the key bowlers for Virat Kohli, but in the World Cup, he will be contending for his place against Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Even as Shami's performances give him an upper-edge, Bhuvi, who has been underperforming for the side, is seen as the bowling partner for Jasprit Bumrah due to his adaptability to English conditions.
India TV's expert and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly addressed the debate, and revealed his preferred choice for India's pace attack.
“I’ll play Mohammad Shami. He has not only been good in the IPL, but has been brilliant throughout the year for India," Ganguly said on India TV's show Cricket Ki Baat.
“Bhuvneshwar Kumar has had a dip in form over the last 4-5 months. I’m a fan of Bhuvi but it’s all about temperament and attitude. I believe he will come back stronger."
He also picked Hardik Pandya in the pace-trio. “I’ll want, at least in the initial stage of the tournament, to have Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Hardik Pandya in the pace attack," said the former Indian captain.
Ganguly further added that Shami will compliment Bumrah in a better way than Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
“I talked to Zaheer Khan during the IPL, and he insisted that he hadn’t seen an Indian bowler performing like that in years, which makes Shami even more important. His death bowling has improved, especially the yorkers.
“Bumrah and Shami will be the key during the death overs."
