Why Mohammed Shami is Not in the Radar of 2019 World Cup Squad?

Test specialist for team India, Mohammed Shami has made a name for himself in the five-day format of the game, however, is yet to cement his spot in ODI cricket ahead of 2019 World Cup.

Shami in line for the mega event in England?

Meanwhile, Shami was the second highest wicket-taker for India in the 2015 ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. He bagged 17 wickets from seven games with the best figure of four for 35. Despite his stunning performance, he has played only five one-day internationals since then.

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After making his debut against Pakistan in Delhi back in 2013 till the 2015 World Cup, Shami was a regular name in limited-overs’ cricket. In MS Dhoni’s team, he was often the leader of the charge opening the proceedings for India. But things changed drastically for him following the knee injury, which he sustained during the World Cup. And when he finally recovered before the 2016 tour of Windies, the pacer was well behind in the race.

However, Mohammed Shami has all the tricks in his kitty to shine in modern day ODI cricket.

Even on spin-friendly pitches, he can swing the ball both ways, has a deceptive bouncer and a slower ball. Moreover, he can be handy with the new ball as well as in the death overs with his ability to extract reverse-swing on rough surfaces. Though at times Shami is predictable with his lengths, he is a genuine wicket-taker across formats.

Shami, however, has earned a tag of being a ‘Test specialist’ and has been a regular feature in the whites. Furthermore, the emergence of Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah has played its part, but one has to admit that in Virat Kohli’s regime, so far Shami has hardly got an opportunity to showcase his white-ball prowess.

Mohammed Shami, meanwhile, was at the peak of his bowling form when he picked up 15 wickets in the Test series against South Africa. He was the highest wicket-taker for the Indian team and played a crucial role in winning the third Test against the Proteas.

However, a series of controversies had piled on Shami about his personal life which affected him mentally. Firstly, the BCCI almost terminated his contract and then the IPL contract. Fortunately, he got to play in the IPL for Delhi Daredevils following a clean-chit from BCCI.

Fast bowler to fight for a place in 2019 World Cup squad

The Bengal fast-bowler struggled in this IPL season returning with only three wickets in four matches at an economy more than ten. Subsequently, the selectors dropped from India’s ODI squad for the all-important tour to England. However, with the rotational policy in place, the selectors called in Mohammed Shami for the first two ODI’s against the Windies. Meanwhile, his not so impressive effort has once against putting him back in the race for the 2019 World Cup squad.

However, the selector’s decision to prefer young Khaleel Ahmed over Mohammed Shami can be an indicator for Shami’s chances for making it to England for the 2019 World Cup.