Harbhajan Singh Hails Mohammed Shami For 5-Wicket Haul In Mohali ODI vs Australia

Legendary India National Cricket Team off-spinner Harbhajan Singh lauded the 33-year-old pacer Mohammed Shami for his bowling brilliance in the first ODI of the three-match series against Australia at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh.

Shami looked a class apart in the Mohali heat and on a surface that was quite batting-friendly. He bagged a wicket in the very first over and sent back Mitchell Marsh. The right-arm pacer bowled 9 more overs and picked up 4 more wickets to complete his five-wicket haul.

In his 10-over spell, Shami gave away just 51 runs while picking up a five-wicket haul. Shami became the first Indian pacer to get an ODI 5-wicket haul at home since Zaheer Khan, who had returned with 5/42 in Margao in 2007. Also, he became just the third pacer after Kapil Dev and Ajit Agarkar to pick an ODI 5-wicket haul against Australia.

Shami’s spell combined with Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, and Suryakumar Yadav’s batting masterclass helped India seal a 5-wicket win and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Mohammed Shami was brilliant once again – Harbhajan Singh

Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Harbhajan said that Shami has got the best seam position among all bowlers in world cricket. He elaborated:

“Mohammed Shami was brilliant once again. Just look at that seam position, so straight. I don’t think anyone in world cricket at the moment would have a seam position as good as Shami. Indian cricket is lucky to be in a stage where you have Bumrah, Siraj, too, who can bowl 150 kmph and also win the game on their day.”

Harbhajan Singh added that surface in Mohali has always supported the batters and taking a five-wicket haul on such a track is truly a remarkable feat. He elaborated:

“Taking five wickets is no mean feat, especially in Mohali where the pitch is always a batting paradise. This is brilliant for Indian cricket because Shami was the one who hadn’t played enough and now that he has played, he has performed brilliantly.”

Shami will be next seen in action when India will take on Australia in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on September 24.