NEW DELHI: West Indies fast bowling legend Andy Roberts has commended veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, highlighting him as “India’s best bowler.”
Roberts, a prominent member of the formidable West Indies pace quartet of the 1970s and 1980s, which included Michael Holding, Joel Garner, and Colin Croft, emphasised Shami’s exceptional control and his proficiency in swinging and seaming the ball in both directions.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy
“Shami has been India’s best bowler for a while,” Roberts told Mid-Day. “He may not get the amount of wickets Jasprit Bumrah gets, but he’s the full package and is more consistent than the rest. Shami swings the ball, Shami seams the ball, and Shami’s control is as good as Bumrah’s. Shami should play. Mohd Siraj is nowhere near Shami.”
Roberts also expressed his reservations regarding India’s choice to bat first in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide. India ultimately lost that match by 10 wickets.
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“Why did you guys [India] bat first? India’s fast bowlers bowled Australia out cheaply in both innings (104 and 238) at Perth. If my fast bowlers outbowl the opposition pacers in the previous Test, I’m not going to give the rivals the first preference in the next Test. Remember, you are not playing on Indian pitches. These have bounce, and you are playing only one spinner; the ball hardly turns. Plus, you didn’t put enough runs on the board,” Roberts said.
Shami has been dealing with injury concerns that have kept him out of action. He recently demonstrated impressive form for Bengal in both the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournaments.
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However, despite these performances, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) has yet to give Shami the green light to return for the remaining matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Following India’s defeat in Adelaide, captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged Shami’s value to the team, saying, “Doors are always open for Shami.”
Currently, the five-match series is tied at 1-1. The possibility of Shami’s participation in the remaining matches remains uncertain. However, his return could significantly bolster India’s chances.