Picking up 20 wickets has always been the key to success in Test cricket but sadly it was not long ago that the Indian bowling attack used to lack the tenacity and determination to bag 20 wickets in overseas conditions. But the Indian bowling unit, comprised of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Ishant Sharma, has recently gained the badge of one of the finest fast-bowling forces in the world and what they did in order to achieve the success is nothing short of a miracle.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri and Bharat Arun as head of India's bowling department undoubtedly deserve credit for scripting this incredible turnaround.
Currently, the Indian bowling triumvirate of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj is causing trouble for opponent batsmen wherever they are bowling. Out of the three pacers, Shami is the most experienced one as Bumrah is the one who gained prominence quickest among them. The 28-year-old pacer, Bumrah, made his Test debut in 2018 against South Africa.
Debut in 2018
Shastri talked about that 2018 Test series in South Africa and explained how he and India Test team skipper Virat Kohli deftly executed Bumrah's debut in Test cricket.
The former head coach also recalled how he was unwavering in not making Bumrah play his first Test in India.
"He knew. I made Bharat Arun call him up and let him know that be ready. You might just get a call up. I spoke to Virat, spoke to the selectors. I said not in India… don't even bring him into the 15 in India. Unleash him straight in South Africa. And coming to Cape Town," Shastri recalled; during a chat show on Star Sports.
Praise for Shami
Pacer Mohammed Shami, on the other hand, registered his name in the record books on Day 3 of the first Test between India and South Africa at Centurion after picking up five wickets to dismantle the Proteas batting unit. The 31-year-old’s lethal bowling display helped India bundle out the hosts for a mere total of 197.
After his phenomenal bowling show, the Uttar Pradesh-born Shami received motivating words from Shastri who tweeted that the pacer deserved a plate of Biryani after the end of this Test as a treat for his terrific spell.
"Shabash Sultan of Bengal @MdShami11. Dekh ke maza aah gaya. Biryani. Doh din ke baad. Mehnat ka Phal. God bless," Shastri wrote on Twitter.
