In the last few years, India have gone away from the traditional strategy of banking on their batting to win games. It has only been possible because of the pace attack that has been extremely successful and deadly.? ?
One of the components of the fearsome bowling attack has been Mohammed Shami. The Kolkata pacer has been in scintillating form and has been ripping it apart. He?had a terrific 2019 and ended as the leading wicket taker in ODIs.??
This was the second time Shami is ending as the highest wicket taker in a calendar year in ODIs after 2014 when he grabbed 38 wickets. Overall, he is the fourth Indian bowler to achieve the feat. Kapil Dev (32 wickets in 1986), Ajit Agarkar (58 wickets in 1998) and Irfan Pathan (47 wickets in 2004).? ??
He can swing it both ways at pace. He can bowl those yorkers consistently at the death. That is what makes Mohammed Shami a very potent force and a world-class bowler.
His transition from a swing bowler who was much more accustomed to Testy cricket to being a handy and wicket taking limited overs bowlers has been remarkable.?Mohammed Shami made the difference again against Australia recently helping India win the series 2-1.?
He was pacy and accurate with his toe-crushing yorkers and unlike his previous version, which would often give freebies away after few good deliveries, this Shami was almost always on the money. We are now seeing the new and improved Shami - leaner, fitter and hungrier.?
He will be important even in New Zealand and for Kohli, the combination of Shami and Bumrah will be a key cog in the wheel.