ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Indian bowling line-up looks better than the rest after first 10 games - A detailed Analysis

The ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has witnessed some very high-scoring games already and teams are finding it difficult to defend totals. The other night, Pakistan chased down a mammoth 345 against Sri Lanka in Hyderabad to script history.

Team India overhauled the target of 273 against Afghanistan without breaking a sweat at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on October 11. Fueled by Rohit Sharma's brilliant century, they reached their target with ease, bolstering their net run rate significantly.

ODI Cricket World Cup 2023: Performance of Bowlers So Far

In Delhi, Sri Lanka scored 326 runs chasing 429 against South Africa last Saturday. As many as four centuries were slammed in that high-scoring game, at the venue formerly known as Feroz Shah Kotla Ground, in what was the first game here, setting the tone for an exciting and a high-scoring global showpiece.

We are in the first 10 games of the 10-team global showpiece and 12 centuries have already been scored, signalling the tournament will be remembered for high-scoring totals. Experts are already claiming that 300-350 can never be a safe total in this tournament.

The pitches in the Indian sub-continent are traditionally known for aiding batters, adding to it the dew factor that is prevalent in most parts of the country, especially north and central India, during this season.

But as they say, batters win you matches, bowlers win you tournaments and the same could be said about the ongoing competition. Despite the dew factor, the team with a well-rounded bowling attack will emerge favourites.

Taking a look at the first ten games, one can come to the conclusion that almost every team will have to work on their bowling, especially in the second innings. Australia lost to India despite getting early three wickets in the latter's run chase of 200. Pakistan and Sri Lanka bowlers have also conceded runs under the lights.

South Africa - whom former Sri Lanka bowling legend Muttiah Muralitharan termed as dark horses in the showpiece event - have also been bowling well and ticking most of the boxes.

Team India's bowling hasn't been tested in the second innings as the Rohit Sharma-led side won the first two games batting second. In their second match against Afghanistan, the Men In Blue registered a clinical win by 8 wickets.

Cricket World Cup: Why Indian bowling attack stands apart?

The Indian cricket team doesn't have a left-arm pacer like New Zealand, Australia, or Pakistan. But in the first couple of games, Indian bowlers have shown a lot of promise. There hasn't been any sign that the Indian side is missing the services of a left-arm pacer, who is often termed an X-factor due to his ability to pick up wickets.

Yes, we are still in the early stages of a long competition, but the game of cricket is often governed by momentum and the way Indian bowlers have performed in the first couple of games, the hosts have shown promising signs early on.

Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja have started on a confident note in the ongoing competition. Bumrah - who showcased his class and quality in the game against Afghanistan on a belter of a surface in Delhi - holds the key for Team India in the coming days for he is the one who'll give India an edge.

While Siraj - who was the star for India in the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka - is blowing hot and cold, Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur have shown their knack for picking up wickets. They've picked up wickets up front, in the middle overs, and even at the back end of the innings.

Ravichandran Ashwin - the senior off-spinner from Tamil Nadu - will be made to play depending on the pitch and opposition adding yet another dimension to India's bowling attack. Add to it, a bowler of Mohammed Shami's caliber is warming the benches.

While interacting with media persons after the win over Afghanistan, Bumrah gave a peek at the team's preparation, saying they are only concentrating on their strengths and not thinking about what or how the opposition is preparing.

"We are looking at ourselves more than the others because we've realized that if we focus on our team, we focus on our strengths everything else takes care of itself. So we are focusing on our team and our preparation. If everything that is there is in our control, we control that, and that gives us the best chance. So that is what our team is focusing on," Bumrah said.

However, this Indian side is yet to bowl second and it will be a challenge for them to defend 280-300 on such surfaces. But looking at the early signs in the competition and the way they've made comebacks in the bowling department, the future bodes well for this Indian side in the tournament.

Should they manage to defend competitive totals between 280-300, in the upcoming games, which they should given the variety in their bowling department, it will be a big warning signal to the opposition that this Indian side is ready for the challenge.

The start has been good for Team India, and fans now hope for a resounding finish from the hosts, potentially ending a decade-long ICC trophy drought on their home turf.