Some bowlers torment opposition batters, while others keep their own wicketkeeper on edge. Mohammed Shami does both. With a rhythmic run-up, effortless acceleration, and a high, commanding release, Shami embodies the essence of a perfect fast bowler. His follow-through is as smooth as his seam position—both a thing of beauty and a nightmare for batters.
Despite battles with injuries, his numbers speak volumes: 229 wickets in 64 Tests, 202 in 105 ODIs, and 27 in 25 T20Is. Since 2018, he hasn’t just been a bowler; he’s been India’s game-changer, a relentless force with the ball in hand.
Shami’s action is a masterclass in precision, rooted in fundamentals that have remained unchanged over time. He may not operate in the high 140s, but when the ball leaves his hand, it feels like a cannonball exploding off the pitch. His pace seems to gather momentum mid-air, skidding onto the bat or gloves with unsettling force, making him deceptively quick.
Much is said about his immaculate seam position, but the real secret lies in his wrist. Firmly cocked at the point of release, it generates immense power, allowing him to swing the ball both ways from the same length with remarkable control. In conditions like England, where the Dukes ball wobbles relentlessly, facing him becomes an even greater challenge.
KL Rahul experienced this firsthand when he kept wickets during Shami’s seven-wicket demolition of New Zealand, not in England but in Mumbai. The ball, unpredictably wobbling even after passing the batter, made his job behind the stumps incredibly tough.
“There are very few bowlers whose deliveries continue to wobble even after passing the bat. Shami is one of them. Sometimes Bumrah too, in his second or third spell. I don’t know what causes it, but keeping against Shami is always a challenge.”
Rahul once admitted that facing Shami in the nets is the toughest challenge for any batter. This sentiment isn’t his alone. Dinesh Karthik, a former teammate, once pulled back the curtain on a shared struggle among India’s best.
“He (Shami) is the toughest bowler I have faced in the nets. He has gotten me out a couple of times in matches too,” Dinesh Karthik revealed on Cricbuzz’s Rise of New India show. “But he is nasty in the nets. I thought it was just me, so I asked Kohli and Rohit, both legends of the game, and even they admitted they hate facing Shami.”
Yet, as India gears up for their clash against New Zealand, Shami’s presence in the playing XI remains uncertain. Since returning from injury, he hasn’t quite found his usual rhythm, and with this game carrying little consequence, the team management may opt to manage his workload. If so, Arshdeep Singh could step in, giving Shami time to recharge before the semi-final.