Reverse Swing And Variable Bounce Were Beneficial For Us, Says Mohammed Shami

Team India pacer Mohammed Shami produced a scintillating display of fast bowling as the host go 1-0 up in the series against South Africa in Visakhapatnam. Shami bagged five while Ravindra Jadeja scalped four as they bowled the visitors for 191 to seal a 203-run victory.

With nine wickets required to win in the final day, the Bengal pacer was in his elements. Shami had a silent game so far as he failed to penetrate in the first innings. But Mohammed Shami stepped up when his team needed the most.

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Although Ravichandran Ashwin provided the breakthrough, it was Shami who broke the backbone of South Africa’s batting. He removed Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis, and Quinton de Kock – all bowled to take one step closer to the win. Ravindra Jadeja contributed with three wickets in one over to have the Proteas at 70 for eight before Dane Piedt and Senuran Muthusamy added 91 runs for the ninth wicket.

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However, it was Mohammed Shami once again who provided the breakthrough getting his fourth wicket as bowled removing Piedt before having Kagiso Rabada as caught to script the win. Speaking at the end of the match, Shami spoke about their plans on a slow Visakhapatnam wicket.

“It would always be difficult (to bat) as the wicket was slow and low. We had the plans to attack the stumps between the two fast bowlers. We have been supporting each other well for the last 4-5 years. In the second innings, the variable bounce and reverse would be beneficial for us. It was visible that the batsman’s discomfort zone was that stump-line and you can see the result,” Shami said.

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Furthermore, Mohammed Shami, one of the architects of India’s victory thanked the Visakhapatnam crowd for turning out in huge numbers and supporting them. Shami will have to play major in the next two matches as India will be without Jasprit Bumrah owing to an injury.

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 “It was of utmost importance for us to remove the first 4-5 batsmen as soon as possible. In the first innings, of course Ashwin was fantastic for us. The more we would attacked the stumps, the better it would be for us. Thank you so much to the Vizag crowd for all the support,” he concluded.