Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun is delighted with the performances of the Indian bowling group in the World Cup 2023, especially highlighting the impressive display by Mohammed Shami. Having previously worked with Shami until 2021 with the senior national team, Arun expresses pride in seeing Shami's impactful performances on Indian pitches during the tournament.
Shami stands out as one of the leading wicket-takers in World Cup 2023, having secured 16 wickets in just 5 matches. His effectiveness as the first change bowler for the two-time champions has been instrumental. India's bowling unit, led by Shami's ability to put pressure on opposition batters following the tight spells of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj with the new ball, has significantly contributed to India's success.
India have successfully bowled out their opposition in seven out of nine matches, and only four teams have crossed the 200-run mark against the well-coordinated bowling attack. Notably, Shami was drafted into the side after India faced the loss of Hardik Pandya due to a leg injury. Shami has struck fear into the minds of opposition batters with his recent form in the last five league games.
Consistently relying on his fundamentals and the renowned upright seam position, Shami has consistently outsmarted opposition batters. His impressive performance in the World Cup, featuring two five-wicket hauls and a remarkable bowling average of taking a wicket every nine balls, sets him apart. The memorable delivery that troubled Ben Stokes is sure to be featured in the tournament's highlights. Arun explained the key factor behind Shami's lethal form, emphasising the fast bowler's preference for Test match lengths in ODI cricket.
"I remember Mohammed Shami saying once, I need to run in like a horse to be successful'. All this World Cup, Shami has been running in - galloping, you could say - fluently, with an amazing rhythm that complements his bowling skills," Arun wrote in a column for ESPNCricinfo.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, in a conversation with India Today, pointed out that extensive training, similar to Kapil Dev, has played a crucial role in Shami finding his rhythm quickly in the World Cup.
'NOT LOSING PATIENCE'
Arun went above and beyond to elucidate a crucial aspect of Shami's success, highlighting his unwavering approach on the field.
"His other big strength is, he brings his Test match mentality to ODIs. He has always been convinced that Test match lengths are good enough for ODIs - of course, outside of the death overs, where variations come into play.”
"In the past, Shami would occasionally lose patience and slide one in straighter prematurely in a sequence of balls outside off angling away. But now his motive is to enjoy testing the batter, to make run-scoring difficult while not being bothered about the wickets column.”
"Even against the tail, he continues to stick with his lengths," he added.
Shami is India's top wicket-taker in ODI World Cups with 47 wickets, including 3 five-wicket hauls and a hat-trick, in just 16 matches. He surpassed Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath, who had 44 wickets in 23 and 34 matches, respectively.
Shami needs only three more wickets to become the 7th bowler in World Cup history to reach 50 wickets.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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