Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson feels that Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has become more difficult to drop from the playing 11 as a result of his brilliant performance against New Zealand and England. The right arm-pacer was brought in the absence of Hardik Pandya and impressed everyone with a match-winning performance in the last couple of games.
Mohammed Shami’s bowling in the ongoing ODI World Cup has won him a lot of accolades. In just two games, the seasoned seamer has claimed nine wickets, including a five-fer against New Zealand, and the Bengal pacer is expected to play a vital role for the Men in Blue going forward in the marquee event.
Speaking on Star Sports, Shane Watson lauded Mohammed Shami for his outstanding bowling performance for the team after he broke into the starting 11 and stated that Shami has overtaken Mohammed Siraj to take the second seamer spot in the Indian squad due to his recent form.
“It’s a great problem for India to have. That’s a sign of a team that’s in incredible form where all the players are putting their hands up and playing at their best. In my mind, Shami has taken over Siraj’s spot because of the way he’s bowled in the last two games. He’s been incredible,” Shane Watson said.
Indian team management might opt to keep Shami in the starting XI even when Hardik Pandya returns to the playing 11 as he has a knack for picking up wickets in the mega event over the years and the Right arm pacer has taken 40 wickets in 13 innings for the two-time world champions.
Mohammed Shami Is Always In There Asking Questions – Shane Watson
Shane Watson thinks that Mohammed Shami can unsettle any top-order batsman once he finds his rhythm in bowling. Watson lauded Shami for bowling a consistent line and length, always trying to hit the stumps, and feels that Shami would get an opportunity ahead of Mohammed Siraj, even if Hardik Pandya recovers from his injury.
“When Shami is at his best, as we saw against England, he’s just so difficult to play. He can beat any batter on the outside or the inside. And because his length is so accurate, it’s always hitting the stumps. He’s always in there asking questions.
“It was unfortunate that Hardik went down injured. But that meant that Shami got an opportunity, and for me, he’s surpassed Siraj because of the way he’s been bowling,” Shane Watson added.
Despite missing India’s first four World Cup matches, Mohammed Shami claimed nine wickets in the two games, Whereas Mohammed Siraj has struggled to find his form in the World Cup picking up just six wickets at an economy of nearly six runs per over, failing to make an impact for the side.