Mohammed Shami is far from finished. In the series opener between India and Australia at Mohali’s PCA Stadium, the India bowler achieved career-best statistics of 5/51 – only his second five-wicket haul in ODIs – in only his third international game since May of this year. Shami, who took over for Mohammed Siraj, who had a six-for against Sri Lanka last Sunday in the Asia Cup, struck with both new and old balls, giving selectors a dilemma heading into the World Cup. With Siraj’s remarkable rise, questions about Shami’s future began to surface, but with a fire-breathing spell on Friday, the 33-year-old has put any such concerns to rest.
Shami stated that his individual accomplishment was the product of years of team building. Since the Asia Cup, Indian pacers have been on a roll, first with Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah making the ball talk, and now with Shami reminding everyone of his bowling menace. Shami provided his team the perfect start on a wicket that didn’t have much to give bowlers, knocking Mitchell Marsh cheaply in the opening over and then returned to collect four more as Australia were all out for 276.
“We take great pleasure in each other’s success.” We’ve spent so many years together, and this is the result of that. When you work with a fresh ball, you have to find the perfect line and length, set the tempo, and that’s precisely what I wanted to do today,” Shami remarked during the innings intermission while speaking with the host broadcaster.
Shami, like the other pacers, felt the heat… physically. The searing heat in Mohali did not help pacers, as both Shami and Bumrah were taken off following a four-over first over. Shami appeared to be the most affected as he exited the field after finishing his initial delivery. However, by the time he returned for his second dismissal – in the 22nd over – to remove Steve Smith, his batteries had been recharged.
Shami climbs up the ladder
Shami bowled immaculately in the death overs, using the slower ball to good effect and dismissing the dangerous Marcus Stoinis before taking out Matthew Short and Sean Abbott off back-to-back deliveries to become India’s second-highest wicket-taker in ODIs against Australia, trailing only the legendary Kapil Dev.
When asked if the heat was unbearable, Shami responded with an epic remark before expressing the delight of plucking wickets throughout the innings.
“You were in the air conditioning, and I was out in the heat.” Because the fast bowlers weren’t getting anything out of the wicket, slower deliveries were a good choice. If they land in the proper places, the outcomes can be extremely beneficial. It is critical to change things up. The squad needed wickets, and it’s a fantastic feeling to get them after putting in so much work. It’s beneficial for the team and your self-esteem,” he continued.
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