Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has added that Mohammed Shami has not been at his best in the first two ODIs against England as well. He also added that the veteran pacer has been down on pace, bowling at speeds that might suit someone like Bhuvneshwar Kumar as well. However, Shami registered figures of 1/66 in 7.5 overs as India bundled England out for 304 in the second ODI in Cuttack on Sunday, February 9 as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “How confident are we with our fast-bowling resources? The truth is that Jasprit Bumrah’s absence is hurting. Based on what we have seen thus far, it seems like our fast bowling is our weak link. If you see Mohammed Shami’s comeback, he has not hit top gear yet. We are hoping that he will reach there.”
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“The pace is slightly depleted. Bhuvneshwar Kumar at 132 kph is going to be outstanding because he is very sharp at 132 kph. However, if Mohammed Shami bowls at 132 kph, he looks a little below his best because his bowling style is getting the ball to move at 137 or 138 kph. That brings the best out of Shami,” Chopra again added.
Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra also added that Adil Rashid took Mohammed Shami to the cleaners in the second ODI between India and England as well. He also questioned Rohit Sharma’s utilization of Shami as well.
“Shami is not bowling that well currently. If Adil Rashid hits him for three consecutive fours, you say he is not ready yet. He is leaking runs. The captain is not getting him to bowl 10 overs, and that is my problem. If you don’t get him to bowl 10 overs, when will he get ready? He is a little far from his best. Harshit Rana’s problem is that he remains expensive. Lack of experience is clearly evident. This Cuttack pitch needed you to bowl slightly full but he wasn’t able to keep the ball there. The good thing is that he bowls the middle overs very well. However, death bowling is again a work in progress,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
