India holds edge in bowling department against Australia, hope Rohit scores big in final: Viswanath

India holds the edge in the bowling department against Australia, reckons batting great Gundappa Viswanath

With pacer Mohammed Shami in menacing form, India holds the edge in the bowling department against Australia, reckons batting great Gundappa Viswanath, who wants skipper Rohit Sharma to convert his aggressive starts to a big hundred in the World Cup final.

After 10 wins in as many games, India will face Australia in the summit clash in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

"Sometimes when you are not getting a break, Shami comes and straightaway gets you a wicket. Just see how many times he got first-ball wickets. Unfortunately, Hardik [Pandya] got injured and he [Shami] came and grabbed the opportunity," Viswanath told PTI.

"He [Shami] hits the deck and got some pace. He skids through, that's the beauty of his bowling, so it goes a bit rapidly and surprises the batsmen. Others also, [Jasprit] Bumrah is Bumrah, he has a good repertoire and [Mohammed] Siraj getting better.

"All in all, our attack is more balanced than Australians, no doubt." So, does the Indian team has an edge in the bowling department? "Yeah, exactly. The two spinners [Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja] also bowled superbly. For them, it is only [Adam] Zampa. But against India, he [Zampa] might struggle to get wickets."

The 74-year-old Viswanath, who was part of the Indian team during the 1975 and 1979 World Cups, feels Australia's bowling is "a bit inconsistent." "If [Mithcell] Starc doesn't get his line and length from the first over, then he goes for runs. (Pat) Cummins is taking wickets here and there but he is leaking runs," said Viswanath, who is commentating for Star Sports Kannada in the World Cup.

"The only consistent bowler is [Josh] Hazlewood and is a great bowler. Zampa is there to pick wickets. Maxwell is doing well and yesterday Travis Head also came in."