Mohammed Shami Reveals His Favorite Dismissal After Match-winning Spell In IND vs AUS 1st ODI

The 33-year-old star India National Cricket Team pacer Mohammed Shami picked the dismissal of Mitchell Marsh as his favorite among the five wickets he bagged in the first ODI.

The KL Rahul-led India National Cricket Team won the first ODI of the three-match series by 5 wickets against the Pat Cummins-led Australia National Cricket Team on Friday, 22 September, at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh.

Bowling first in the match, India bowled out the opposition for 276 with Mohammed Shami being the chief architect in the bowling department with the figures of 5/51. While chasing the target, Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, and Suryakumar Yadav hit terrific half-centuries to help India win the game.

Speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony after winning the Player of the Match award, Mohammed Shami spoke about bowling longer spells in the heat. He said:

“It depends on the captain and the game situation, but despite the heat, you feel like bowling 4-5 overs with the new ball.”

Mohammed Shami added that the wicket of Marsh, which he picked in the first over itself, was his favorite one. He said:

“I enjoyed the wicket of Marsh, that’s a different feeling when you get the outside edge when you control your swing nicely. It was important to hit the right lengths on this wicket, either at full pace or go slow, but bowling the right lengths were key.”

“(On bowling with the other pacers) We’ve played together for a long time, so we know what needs to be done. Always enjoy when we bowl well in tandem like this,” he added.

Feels good when you put in the effort and get wickets – Mohammed Shami

During the mid-innings break, Mohammad Shami had expressed delight over his performance, saying that he felt good to bag wickets after putting in the effort. Mohammed Shami said:

“Very happy, enjoy the company of Siraj a lot. It’s important to bowl in the right areas and set the tone. Yes, it was hot out here. 

“There wasn’t much out of the wicket so the only option was to bowl good lengths and mix up your variations. Feels good when you put in the effort and get wickets, it’s good for the team and for your confidence.”

Notably, Shami became the first Indian pacer to get an ODI 5-wicket haul at home since Zaheer Khan, who had returned 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.