Parthiv Patel, the former Indian wicketkeeper feels premier pacer Mohammed Shami can vouch for a place in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Mohammed Shami has not played for India in the shortest format since the 2021 T20 WC where the Men in Blue failed to reach the semifinal. He recently returned to India’s white-ball format in the ODI series against England as he claimed three wickets in the first ODI match.
The 31-year-old pacer produced a sensational spell with the new ball as he claimed the crucial wicket of Ben Stokes in the powerplay and then returned to attack and dismissed Jos Buttler and Craig Overton. With three wickets, Mohammed Shami became the quickest Indian to take 150 wickets in ODIs. He achieved the feat in 80 matches.
Parthiv Patel: Mohammed Shami Could Vouch For His Spot In The Upcoming 2022 T20I World Cup
Meanwhile, his bowling partner Jasprit Bumrah claimed his career-best figures of 6/19 as India bundled out England for just 110. Chasing the target, openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan helped them register a 10-wicket win. Parthiv Patel feels that Mohammed Shami has an opportunity in the ongoing ODI series to make a case for himself for the upcoming 2022 T20I WC as India has still not finalized their third bowling option.
“He has a good opportunity in this ODI series to show that he can bowl in the death overs. He could vouch for his spot in the T20 World Cup. India already has Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, and if you get the quality and experience of Shami, it will make a huge difference,” Parthiv Patel said.
Mohammed Shami last played for India in the shortest format of the game during the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup 2021 match against Namibia in Dubai on November 8. Up till now in his career, he has played in 17 T20Is and has picked up 18 wickets at an economy of 9.54.
Parthiv Patel Surprised As To Why Mohammed Shami Is Not Seen As A T20 Pacer
Mohammed Shami had a good season in IPL for Gujarat Titans as he claimed 20 wickets as his franchise won the trophy on their debut season. Parthiv Patel emphasized Mohammed Shami’s exemplary performance with the new ball and said that in recent times he had done well in the death overs too.
“I am surprised as to why he is not seen as a T20 bowler. The way he bowled for Gujarat Titans, he claimed a wicket in the first over on so many occasions. Earlier it was said that he cannot bowl in the death overs, but he has been doing that pretty well for Gujarat and Punjab,” he added.
Mohammed Shami garnered a lot of attention at the IPL 2022 mega auction before eventually going to Gujarat Titans (GT) for a winning bid of INR 6.25 crores.
Many experts still do not consider Mohammed Shami as a specialist bowler in the shortest T20I format, and his economy rate of 9.54 in T20Is explains the logic behind the dislike. The veteran pacer has picked 20 scalps in 16 games in IPL 2022 averaging only 24.4 including 3/25 against fellow debutants Lucknow Supergiants. He was Gujarat Titans’ leading wicket-taker.