Mohammed Shami
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Mohammed Shami halts India’s search for a third seamer

Mustafa Ismail·
One Day International (ODI)
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After an impeccable Test series down under, Mohammed Shami is showing the world exactly what India’s limited-overs side have missed in the last couple of years…

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have been leading India’s pace attack in the ODI format for quite some time now. With the help of the team’s wrist spinners in the middle overs, they’ve managed to win plenty of matches for their country. However, India have struggled to pinpoint a third seamer for the side – one who can successfully restrict the opposition when it counts.

They’ve tried the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Khaleel Ahmed, Siddarth Kaul, and Shardul Thakur among others but no one has truly been able to make the position their own. Virat Kohli has now decided to opt for his spearhead Test bowler, Mohammed Shami, who’s proven expensive in limited-overs cricket before. Ever since his return from injury, he’s become fitter and quicker – which has helped him bowl an excellent line and length against both Australia and New Zealand.

Shami is getting the white ball to move at pace and will be a handful for batsmen, especially during the World Cup. The seamer is also excellent at the death, possessing a deadly yorker and plenty of variations in his arsenal. Particularly in New Zealand, Shami has been brilliant in all three phases of the innings, picking up a wicket in each of them and limiting the runs conceded.

This has allowed India to bowl out New Zealand on three consecutive occasions, subsequently putting the team in a winning position. There’s no doubt that Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have been sensational in the middle, but it’s the start that Shami and Bhuvi provide that provides a platform for the spinners to bowl with freedom.

Mohammed Shami, who previously had a longer run-up, has cut it down after recovering from injury to reach peak speed at the moment of release and deliver that extra yard of pace. Batsmen have exploited his deliveries in the past and scored prolifically but his accuracy and movement have now made life difficult for whoever’s at the crease.

The use of his bouncer is also very effective as he bangs it in at pace and with pinpoint precision, often surprising the batsman and picking up a wicket in the process. He might need to develop a good slower ball, especially for its utility at the death, but India can rest assured that Shami will extract what he can from the pitch.

With a brilliant display against Australia in both the Test and ODI series, along with two man of the match awards in three games against New Zealand, Mohammed Shami has surely booked his ticket to England for the World Cup. Given Hardik Pandya’s return to the side, there will only be space for two pacers in the starting line-up, but with the World Cup extending over a long period, Shami will inevitably be called upon.

India’s bowling attack is now set for cricket’s premier competition. With options available in every department, they’ll be confident in their ability to bowl out teams over the course of the tournament. It’ll prove to be an extremely useful part of their repertoire, and will add to a side already capable of bringing the coveted trophy home.