Skipper Rohit Sharma made a crucial change to India's Playing XI in the fourth Test against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday (March 9). After resting Mohammed Shami for the second and third Tests, Rohit included him in place of Mohammed Siraj for the Ahmedabad Test.
Meanwhile, India's legendary cricketer and former skipper Sunil Gavaskar slammed Team India and said it wasn't a smart move to rest Shami in the second and third Tests in Delhi and Indore respectively. Shami got off to a wobbling start as he conceded 10 runs in his first overs. He began with a wide which was followed by quite a few freebies.
"Resting Mohammed Shami was not a smart move. You had 8 days break between the 2nd and the 3rd Test. He bowled military medium in his first two deliveries," Gavaskar said on air for Star Sports.
Gavaskar went on to say that Shami likes to be in rhythm and it is imperative for fast bowlers to stay match fit.
"That's how it's got to be. The batter is nervous, he is not yet off the mark. If he sees the ball go harmlessly to the keeper, he gets an opportunity to see what the pitch is doing. He can then mentally start to relax just that little bit," Gavaskar added.
"Great bowlers were at you straightaway, from the first ball.
"He is just not getting his line right. Look at how far that went. It's going to be called byes because it hasn't gone away from the marker, which indicates wide. I think, you know that Mohammed Shami is the kind of bowler who likes to be in rhythm, may be you shouldn't rest him. I think it's important to get your bowling muscles going, in the gym, you don't get your bowling muscles going," Gavaskar further added.
Indian pacers Umesh Yadav and Shami looked off-rhythm as Australia raced to 40 for no loss after the completion of 12 overs. However, India made a comeback and got back-to-back wickets in the form of Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne to leave Australia reeling at 72/2. While R Ashwin got rid off Head (32 off 44), Shami dismissed Labuschagne on 3 off 20.
Meanwhile, Australia have already fixed their berth in ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-2023 final after winning the third Test against India. Now, India need to win the fourth Test to confirm their place in the WTC final which will be held at the Oval in June.
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