Mohammed Shami has been left out from the Indian bowling attack since the world cup started. He have no match practice yet but it seems he can bowl well against the minnows in cricket world. India always keep options as per their strength in bowling and batting.
In the absence of Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul made a most substantial entry in the Indian playing eleven. Rahul made full use of his opening position with Rohit Sharma and had already given good start for India. Keeping in view his partnership with Rohit Sharma was commendable. Accordingly, he played by assessing the conditions with good strokes and that led to India’s run rate maintained.
It’s always good to keep powerful players in your fifteen member squad as Ravindra Jadeja is another good player, who was left out. Shami should play within his limitations and bowl at right length and make an impact. His economy rate at least should be taken in consideration and he must be told to bowl some dot balls every over.
This is a great chance for Mohammed Shami to seize the opportunity and bowl well against Afghanistan and get noticed. Since a few years, Shami has been performing well as the most successful bowler and was overtaken by Bhuvneshwar Kumar in this world cup. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was preferred over Mohammed Shami because of his batting skills that India need as a bonus.
Kumar not only bowls a tidy length and line but also takes big wickets. When he chips in with 20 odd runs to bolster Indian batting, it looks better to keep him in the playing eleven. However, Shami also uses long handle and was seen hitting big sixes and more so.
Khalid M Raza
