Mohammed Shami’s Decline Exposed By Aakash Chopra!! Recalls This Veteran Pacer
Published - 11 Feb 2025, 11:56 AM | Updated - 20 Feb 2025, 11:45 PM
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The former Indian opener, Aakash Chopra, has criticized the national side’s pacer, Mohammed Shami, for giving him a harsh reality check in his underwhelming return to international cricket. The Bengal pacer got back to the ODI and T20I series against England after proving his fitness in domestic cricket.
Shami marked his return to the game against Madhya Pradesh during the fourth round of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25. He went through the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 smoothly.
Many predicted that he could feature in one of the Tests for India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, but the selectors wanted to keep him fresh for the home series against England and the following ICC Champions Trophy.
Mohammed Shami’s disappointing return to India
In the five-match T20I series, Mohammed Shami played just two games. The right-arm pacer picked up three wickets in 5.3 overs at an average of 16.66 and an economy of 9.9. The management overlooked him for the opening two clashes at the Eden Gardens and MA Chidambaram Stadium.
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Mohammed Shami’s most-anticipated comeback for the Blue Brigade occurred during the Rajkot game. After missing the Pune fixture, he returned for the final game at the Wankhede Stadium.
Eyes were totally on the pacer’s rhythm in the ODI series. He could be the leader of the pacer attack in the Champions Trophy, especially in the potential absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who could miss the eight-team event due to a back injury.
The Uttar Pradesh-born earned Brydon Carse’s wicket in Nagpur. He looked to slog the ball, which crashed into his middle stump. Shami picked up just one wicket for 38 runs in eight overs, including a maiden. In the following encounter in Cuttack, he could again record one wicket. Gus Atkinson made room but miscued the short ball into the hands of the long-on fielder.
Aakash Chopra remembers Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Mohammed Shami was the leading wicket-taker of the 2023 home ODI World Cup with 24 wickets in seven innings at an average of 10.70 and a strike rate of 12.20. He claimed three five-wicket hauls and one four-wicket haul at the best bowling figure of 7/57 an inning.
Aakash Chopra feels India’s fast-bowling resources for the event are not up to the mark due to the uncertainty around Bumrah and Shami’s lack of form.
“How confident are we with our fast-bowling resources? The truth is that Jasprit Bumrah's absence is hurting. Based on what we have seen thus far, it seems like our fast bowling is our weak link. If you see Mohammed Shami's comeback, he has not hit top gear yet. We are hoping that he will reach there.” Chopra expressed this in his YouTube video.
The former opener reckoned that Shami’s pace suggested that Bhuvneshwar Kumar would be a better bowler at 132 speed. The latter’s last game was back in 2022 against New Zealand in Napier.
“The pace is slightly depleted. Bhuvneshwar Kumar at 132 kph is going to be outstanding because he is very sharp at 132 kph. However, if Mohammed Shami bowls at 132 kph, he looks a little below his best because his bowling style is getting the ball to move at 137 or 138 kph. That brings the best out of Shami.” Aakash pointed out.
Ex-India opener criticizes Mohammed Shami
The 34-year-old played just three List-A games in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, where he picked up five wickets in three innings. But his rhythm wasn’t the same.
Chopra addresses that it is not a good sign for the Indian team that Shami didn’t get his full quota over overs in both matches.
“Shami is not bowling that well currently. If Adil Rashid hits him for three consecutive fours, you say he is not ready yet. He is leaking runs. The captain is not getting him to bowl 10 overs, and that is my problem. If you don't get him to bowl 10 overs, when will he get ready? He is a little far from his best.” Aakash Chopra concluded.
