Mohammed Shami Should Play Ahead Of Shardul Thakur In Playing XI During ODI World Cup 2023 - Piyush Chawla

Former Indian skipper Piyush Chawla believes that veteran pacer Mohammed Shami should be included in the playing XI during the ODI World Cup 2023. Piyush Chawla emphasized that Mohammed Shami is a better choice than Shardul Thakur for the third pacer role.

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj started as the first-choice pacers in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2023. All-rounder Shardul Thakur was preferred over Mohammed Shami as the third pacer because he can contribute with the bat lower down the order.

Shardul Thakur’s Economy Rate Is Always On The Higher Side – Piyush Chawla

In a conversation with ESPNCricinfo, Piyush Chawla questioned Shardul Thakur’s place in the playing XI, highlighting his high economy rate with the ball. Chawla emphasized the need for a bowler with greater consistency in pace on flat wickets.

“If we talk about Shardul’s batting, it’s not that he is somebody who will come and give you those quick fire 30, 40 runs off 20 balls. He’s a good player for a run-a-ball or sometimes maybe like 20-ball 25 runs.

“And if you talk about his bowling, I agree that he has picked up wickets and he has got quite a few of them. But his economy rate is always on the higher side,” Chawla told ESPNCricinfo.

“Also, if you talk about the conditions where India is going to play, most of the wicket is going to be a bit flat. So you need somebody who’s like a proper bowler, who can come in one change and still bowl at the 135-140 mark,” he added.

Shami registered his career-best bowling figures of 5/51 during the first ODI at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Friday, September 22. Shardul Thakur, on the other hand, went wicketless and conceded 78 runs in his 10-over quota.

Mohammed Shami Keeps Things Simple – Piyush Chawla

Piyush Chawla praised Mohammed Shami for his effective bowling on a flat batting track, highlighting his upright seam position. Chawla said that Shami’s skills will work well regardless of the pitch conditions.

“The best part was the way he was bowling on that particular pitch and the way he hit those hard lengths. He is someone who keeps things very simple no matter how the wicket is or whether he is playing with red ball or white ball.

“He is somebody who bowls with an upright seam and you need this kind of seam position when you bowl on these kind of tracks,” he concluded.

Shami was named Player of the Match as the KL Rahul-led team registered a five-wicket victory in the series opener. The second match between the two teams will take place at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Sunday, September 24.

Also read: Mohammed Shami Opens Up On Extreme Heat Conditions For Bowlers In Mohali, Says ‘Players Are Also Human’