Mohammad Shami became the fourth Indian bowler to grab 200 ore more wickets in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries across formats. Temba Bavuma became Shami's 200th victim. Shami ended with figures of 2/39 in the first innings of the third and final Test at Cape town.
Shami went past former India left-arm pacer Zaheer khan to become the fourth highest wicket-taker in SENA countries across all formats. Khan had picked 198 wickets in total. The list is topped legendary spinner Anil Kumble with 219 wickets followed by the Mysore Express Javagal Srinath with 212 wickets and World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev with 211 scalps.
Another feat was achieved when Shami dismissed Bavuma. Coincidentally, that catch was taken by skipper Virat Kohli who completed his 100 catches in Test cricket. Kohli also became the fourth Indian to take 100 catches in ODI’s and Tests.
Indian pacers were all over the Proteas after being bundled for 223 in the first innings. Jasprit Bumrah picked his seventh Test five-wicket haul finishing with figures of 5/42. Umesh Yadav playing his first match in this series picked 3/39 whereas Shardul Thakur also chipped in with one wicket. India dismissed South Africa for 210, taking a slender lead of 13 runs.
Earlier in the series Shami became only the fifth Indian fast bowler to reach 200 Test wickets, running through the South African batting line-up and claiming 5/44 from 16 overs. South Africa speedster Kagiso Rabada was his 200th scalp. The 31-year-old is also the 11th Indian bowler to pick 200 wickets. He is also the fifth highest wicket takers for India among pacers in Tests.
About a couple of months ago, after India’s T20 World Cup loss to Pakistan, the fast bowler was at the receiving end of deplorable social media abuse, targeting his religion.
Shami has seen several ups and downs in life and cricket. Post the 2015 World cup Shami suffered a number of injuries that kept him out of the game. Shami made his Test debut in 2013 against the West Indies at home. His debut series was also Sachin Tendulkar’s last series. Shami has picked more than 350 wickets for India across all formats.
