Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has praised Mohammed Shami for bowling an important spell in the Indian team’s 2025 Champions Trophy clash against Bangladesh. He also questioned whether Shami is an ICC great, considering his stunning shows at global events as well. However, Shami registered figures of 5/53 in 10 overs as India bundled Bangladesh out for 228 in their Group A opener in Dubai on Thursday, February 20 as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra’, he said, “Mohammed Shami has returned after spending 14 months away from the game. We were eagerly waiting for him. He has taken a five-wicket haul. The guy’s stature is different in ICC events. Is he already an ICC great?” he said. “Most fifers in ICC events – he has five. The second-best is Glenn McGrath, who has three. After Shami, Ravindra Jadeja is the Indian to take the most five-wicket hauls in ICC events and he has only two. If we check from 2012, Indians have taken only seven fifers in ICC events, in which Shami has five and Jaddu has two.”
ALSO READ: “In the next T20 World Cup in India, he’ll be number one bowler” – Mohammad Kaif on Varun Chakravarthy
“Mohammed Shami has created a bunch of records. Most wickets by an Indian in white-ball ICC events, he has taken 74 wickets. He also has the most wickets by an Indian in ICC ODI events. He has taken 60 wickets. He is the fastest Indian to 200 ODI wickets. He has taken only 104 matches,” Chopra again added.
However, Aakash Chopra also acknowledged that he was concerned about Mohammed Shami’s form before India’s 2025 Champions Trophy
opener against Bangladesh as well.
“I too had questions about how he would perform as he was not looking in great touch. However, he picked up wickets with the new ball. He was bowling around the wicket and it seemed like he was bowling well. After that, a few variations. He bowled a few slower ones and bouncers. He picked up five wickets on a pitch where we are saying there was a lot of help for spin. Take a bow, Mohammed Shami, you have done exceedingly well, you have been outstanding,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
