India’s premier bowler Mohammed Shami defends his fellow teammate Jasprit Bumrah after latter was not much effective in the T20I and ODI series against New Zealand. Shami went on to criticize the critics while backing his bowling-partner Bumrah.
On Saturday, both the spearhead pacers impressively ended day two of the practice match. Shami picked three wickets and gave away only 17 runs while Bumrah picked two wickets.
People criticise to make money: Mohammed Shami
After the practice match, Shami took a dig at ‘critics’ while supporting his teammate. In the recently-concluded ODI series, Bumrah went wicketless which is not so common to hear. Although he bowled some economical spells but not picking wickets brought criticism about his bowling attack.
Shami said that it is not easy for a player to make comeback from the injury, reminding Bumrah has just recovered from a stress fracture. He added that we cannot forget what Bumrah has given to the team.
“It is easy to criticise somebody from outside but it takes a lot to make a comeback. Nowadays people are making money by criticising players,” Shami said after Saturday’s play in Hamilton.
“What Bumrah has achieved for India, how can you even forget that or for that matter ignore it?
“It is fine that people are talking about him but you cannot get to the results only after three-four matches. You have to take positives from here as it will benefit the players.”
India went to stumps on day two of the three-day practice match with an 87-run lead. Shami himself claimed three wickets. Besides, young Navdeep Saini picked one wicket, Umesh Yadav scalped two wickets whereas spinner Ravichandran Ashwin notched up one wicket.
After bowling out New Zealand XI for 235, openers Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw, who failed in the 1st innings, scored unbeaten 35 and 23 runs in second innings.