World Cup: Sunil Gavaskar Lauds Indian Pacers' Usage of Short Ball

Mahendra Singh Dhoni & Co. maintained their unbeaten streak at the World Cup 2015. On a lively WACA wicket in Perth, Indian pacers Mohammed Shami (3/35) and Umesh Yadav (2/42) laid the platform for India's four-wicket win over the West Indies. (Highlights | Scorecard | Pics | Points Table)

Former India skipper and NDTV expert Sunil Gavaskar praised the Indian fast bowling pair for their clever usage of the short ball.

"I dont think there has ever been a batsman who has been entirely comfortable with the short ball. Every batsman has had his own method to deal with it. The Indian bowlers used the short ball cleverly. Because they're not very tall, it gets a height where the batsman actually feel that they can attack it and that's where they've got their wickets," Gavaskar told NDTV. (Dhoni Keeps Wickets Without Pads)

Opting to bat first, West Indian batsman failed to cope with the pace and bounce generated by Umesh and Shami. Their fiery opening spell claimed the crucial wickets of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Smith, Marlon Samuels and Denesh Ramdin. From 35/4 in the 10th over, West Indies limped to a meagre total of 182. (Surviving Windies Scare Good for Team India, Says Dhoni)

Gavaskar also pointed out that the Indian pair directed their bouncers very well and that made all the difference. (Dhoni Beats Ganguly for Most Overseas Win)

"West Indian bowlers also bowled a lot of short balls but they went over the heads of Indian batsmen. The direction of the short ball is also very important and that's where Shami and Umesh were very good," Gavaskar said.

With four wins and a quarter-finals spot under their belt, India now move to New Zealand for their next Pool B fixture against Ireland on Monday.