India fast bowler Mohammed Shami became the fifth Indian pacer to pick up 200 wickets on day 3 of the first Test between India and South Africa in Centurion.
Shami, produced a top-quality bowling against South Africa. Though, for the India pacer, it is not unusual to come up with unplayable deliveries. Shami picked up a 5-wicket-haul for India in the first innings of the first Test against South Africa in Centurion. His impeccable bowling display helped the Virat Kohli-led team to bundle South Africa out for 197 and secure a 130-run first innings lead.
After the day’s play, the Uttar Pradesh-born player, talked about his village and revealed that he could not have realized his dream without his father's support in trying conditions. In order to provide better facilities to train, Shami's father who passed away in 2017, would cycle every day a long distance.
"My father has made me what I am today. I come from a village where there aren't many facilities and even today there aren't all facilities available. Even then, my father would cycle me 30 km to take me at coaching camp and that struggle I still remember. In those days and those situations, they invested in me and I am forever grateful," Shami told the press on December 28 (Tuesday).
"No one can ever dream as to what he can ultimately achieve when you are coming up the ranks and struggling to make a mark. Your dream is to become an India player and play with those whom you have seen on TV. All you can do is work hard and if you work hard you are bound to get results," he added.
Third-fastest Indian bowler
The 31-year-old pacer became the third-fastest Indian bowler, only behind Kapil Dev and Javagal Srinath, to pick up 200 Test wickets.
Shami although downplayed the modulations of Test cricket, saying it's a fast bowler's job to adapt to different conditions.
"Test match isn't any rocket science. If you are a Test level bowler, you should know your lengths and also have an idea of conditions and adapt accordingly," Shami explained.
