Aakash Chopra lavished praise on Indian pacer Mohammed Shami for his five-wicket haul and also compared him to veteran pacers Dale Steyn and James Anderson.
India pacer Mohammed Shami was in fantastic bowling form during South Africa’s first innings in the ongoing first Test match in Centurion. The bowler reached a personal milestone of 200 Test wickets and also bagged a five-wicket haul. He followed it up with another wicket during South Africa’s second innings on Day 4.
Aakash Chopra Praised Mohammed Shami After His 5 Wicket Haul During South Africa’s 1st Innings
Speaking on his YouTube channel, former cricketer Aakash Chopra joined a long queue of fans and experts of the cricket fraternity praising Mohammed Shami and the commentator called his wrist position the best in the world.
“Mohammed Shami’s wrist position isn’t the best in the world? I think it is”, he said.
“I have seen many players. About wrist position, what I am trying to say is, that means that the seam won’t wobble. I mean, what a bowler!”
Aakash Chopra also went on to add that despite not having played any cricket after the 2021 T20I World Cup, Mohammed Shami has been perfect with his deliveries.
“About South Africa’s bowlers, we are talking that they are little bit cold as they haven’t played cricket for quite some time and weren’t getting line or length. Even Shami hasn’t played since the T20 World Cup. The last Test match against England, he played. Whenever he bowls, he delivers at the kind of spot where batters think should they play it or leave it. He asks so many questions from them that he ends up taking a lot of wickets”, he stated.
Mohammad Shami (16-5-44-5) and his pace bowling colleagues Jasprit Bumrah (7.2-2-16-2), Mohammed Siraj (15.1-3-45-1), and Shardul Thakur (11-1-51-2) further enhanced their reputation as world-beaters by dismissing the Proteas for a mere 197 in their 1st innings.
But India also was bundled for 174 in their 2nd innings with Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada picking 4 wickets apiece. South Africa was set a target of 305 to win. Lungi Ngidi who took 6/71 in India’s 1st innings picked 2 scalps in the 2nd innings.
Aakash Chopra Never Saw Mohammed Shami’s Wrist Position Go Bad
Aakash Chopra lavished further praise on the 31-year-old and also made a big comparison with veteran South Africa former pacer Dale Steyn and England pacer James Anderson.
“His wrist sends such amazing deliveries. We have seen everyone’s wrist getting bad at one point or other. Even the great Dale Steyn and even Jimmy Anderson”, he said.
“But for Shami, I have never seen his wrist go bad. His backspin is very beautiful. Mohammed Shami is one of the finest at this point of time”, he further added.
Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul included Aiden Markram (13), Keegan Petersen (15), Temba Bavuma (52), Wiaan Mulder (12), and Kagiso Rabada (25). Meanwhile, he dismissed Aiden Markram (1) on Day 4 during the second innings. The hosts ended Day 4 at 94 for four and need a further 211 runs on the final day, with Dean Elgar (52) set to resume batting.