The India pacer Mohammed Shami continued to add to his remarkable track record in the ODI World Cup 2023 by securing a five-wicket haul against New Zealand at Dharamshala’s Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium on Sunday. Shami, who had been left out of the playing XI for the first four matches, was included in the team as India opted to include another specialist pacer due to the absence of all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
Shami made an immediate impact by dismissing Will Young and later returned in his second spell to remove Rachin Ravindra for 75 runs. The seasoned fast bowler ensured that the Kiwis didn’t gain the upper hand in the death overs. He efficiently cleaned up the New Zealand tail, resulting in the team being bowled out for 273. Shami claimed the wickets of Young (17), Rachin (75), Daryl Mitchell (130), Mitchell Santner (1), and Matt Henry (1). With this performance, he expanded his exceptional World Cup record, amassing a total of 36 wickets across 12 games in the tournaments held in 2015, 2019, and now in 2023.
Apart from that the most fascinating spell was the back-to-back wickets in two balls. In the 48th over of the match, Shami wreaked havoc on the New Zealand batting as he dismissed Santner and then Matt Henry on consecutive deliveries.
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MOHAMMED SHAMI – THE LEGEND….!!!#INDvsNZ #shami pic.twitter.com/zPKKGMQ5iG
— S???? P????? S???? (@_SPSB) October 22, 2023
It is never an easy decision: Paras Mhambrey
The Indian bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, expressed his understanding and sympathy for Shami being on the sidelines and spoke to the media prior to India’s match against Bangladesh in Pune last week. He mentioned that the experienced fast bowler comprehends the team’s strategies and needs.
“See, honestly, it is never an easy decision. But I think the conversations are around, we had a clear chat with him. Whenever we select a squad, the messages from us are very clear. That we pick a squad we feel is the best for that wicket. And I think sometimes you will miss out. Someone like him is missing out, someone like Ash (Ashwin) will miss out,” Mhambrey said in the pre-match press conference.
