Mohammed ShamiT20’s career seems to be seriously disappointed. He was not selected from the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup, but found a place in the two-stage home series against Australia and South Africa starting September 20. Given the Indian pacers’ injury record, a few good performances in these games could have opened up a space for the 32-year-old, who was in the reserves if something went wrong with the quintet chosen for the World Cup.
But there is bad news in store for Shami. The senior pacer tested positive at Covid and was excluded from the Australian series. It’s a big blow for the paceman, but did the 32-year-old really deserve to be excluded from the 15 chosen for the World Cup? He now he has only the South African series to prove him his credentials, provided he gets in shape in time.
It is true that Shami did not have the best T20 World Cup in the UAE last year. But bowling for champions Gujarat Titans in the IPL, Shami took 20 wickets at a pay rate of 8, which is lower than his career pay rate of 8.52 in the event.
“For me, Shami is a supreme bowler. I’m surprised he isn’t in the top 15 for the World Cup, especially in Australia,” Chennai Super Kings bowling coach Lakshmipathy Balaji told TOI. “If given a chance, I would hire him for my franchise without thinking twice.”
This shows how highly rated the paceman is on the Indian T20 circuit. While Shami is arguably the fastest of the top pacers in India, his ability to hit the hitters on the front foot makes him a foolproof candidate. “This is one of the most important reasons why he should have been there on the team,” added Balaji.
After the last T20 World Cup, the criticism of Shami was that he was bowling too much at a pace. This could have made things a little easier for the opposing hitters, but we mustn’t forget that in the two games India lost – against Pakistan and New Zealand – the hitters had failed and the bowlers didn’t have much to play with. In fact, against the kiwis he only shot one and in the two games against Afghanistan and Scotland he managed a total of six wickets, albeit a little expensive.
“The importance of a wicket-taker is paramount even in T20 cricket. Shami’s ability to throw both early and late and take wickets should have been enough to reserve him a seat in the 15. Probably the team’s thinking process. is to use bowlers who can keep changing the pace to make the hitters guess, ”Balaji said.
That’s why both Arshdeep Singh and Harshal Patel are on the team while Shami has to miss. “If you ask me who I’ll give the extra 19th with 20 odd to defend, between Harshal, Arshdeep and Shami my choice will still be Shami. It’s not because the others are bad, but Shami has the experience and is definitely a handful in condition Australians, “explained the bowling coach.
It’s not that the Indian team’s leadership doesn’t know. Given pacers’ recent injury record in recent events, including the Asian Cup, they believe there could be an opening in a month-long World Cup. This is why the Bengal man is in the squad for the stage rehearsal series, so that he can have some time to play.
“If Shami plays well, he could still be the first choice substitute for the World Cup,” said Balaji. He should be encouraging enough for Shami as she waits for her chance once it turns negative.
