ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Mohammed Shami declared superior to Jasprit Bumrah, backed to destroy opponents

Jasprit Bumrah's absence in India's squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 has put the emphasis on Mohammed Shami. Being the most experienced bowler in the squad, Shami is likely to lead the bowling attack and will be expected to give crucial breakthroughs to his team.

Former India fast bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji has backed Mohammed Shami to lead the pace attack in the Champions Trophy and use all his experience. Balaji also recalled Shami's performance in the last two ODI World Cups where he out-bowled Jasprit Bumrah.

Balaji shed light on Shami's skills and feels that he needs to trust his skills in the upcoming Champions Trophy. With India going with an inexperienced pace attack, the onus will be on Shami to be his team's trump card.

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Lakshmipathy Balaji backs Mohammed Shami

While speaking to PTI, Lakshmipathy Balaji recalled how Mohammed Shami out-bowled Jasprit Bumrah in the last two World Cups. Balaji feels that Shami has the experience to be a force in this tournament.

"Actually, he had out-bowled (Jasprit) Bumrah in the 2019 (50-over World Cup) and in the last World Cup (2023). Bumrah is the champion bowler across formats. But (Mohammed) Shami has experience and, before Bumrah's arrival, it was Shami who carried India's attack all through," Balaji said.

Balaji further spoke about the importance of picking up wickets with the new ball. He feels that Shami has to pick up wickets with the new ball to give his team a good start. Shami is a capable bowler with the new ball and a genuine threat.

"I think it's very important. If India has to do well, then Shami has to come good with the new ball. The kind of impact he can make in his first six overs with the new ball will play a crucial role for India. The old ball is anyway... it is a defensive game now. If he can make early inroads regularly, that will give a huge booster to India," he added.

Mohammed Shami was the highest wicket-taker in the ODI World Cup 2023 with 24 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 10.70. He played four fewer matches than Bumrah but still emerged as the top wicket-taker.

"Mohammed Shami is the leader of the pack" - Lakshmipathy Balaji

Further speaking in the same conversation, Lakshmipathy Balaji admitted that Mohammed Shami's pace has gone down after the ankle injury but feels that the fast bowler will get over it once he starts bowling more overs.

"Since that (ankle) injury has happened, there was a little bit of slowness, maybe. It's natural. But there is nothing you can do about it. It's part of any sportsperson's career. He has the experience to get over it, and he will do it as he bowls more. It's just about accepting the (physical) condition and continuing his best practices," said Balaji.

The former CSK pacer then called Mohammed Shami the leader of India's fast bowling attack. He feels that Shami can give confidence to the other bowlers in the team by picking up wickets upfront.

"Shami is the leader of the pack right now. I mean, he has been the leader of the pack for a long time now. If you see what Shami has done in 12 years of cricket and, especially, in Test cricket, it has been humongous. Now, if he starts striking with the new ball, the confidence it gives to other bowlers will be huge," he reckoned.

Mohammed Shami's excellent numbers in ODIs

Mohammed Shami has a terrific record in ODIs as he has picked up 197 wickets in 103 ODIs at an average of 23.96 and an economy rate of 5.50. His record in ICC tournaments is even more exceptional.

Other than Shami, India have Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana as the other fast bowlers in the squad. Hardik Pandya is also there as the fast bowling allrounder. However, the onus will be on Shami to deliver as he is the most experienced bowler on the team.