Legendary West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts has praised Mohammed Shami for his remarkable bowling skills, even going as far as calling him India’s best bowler at present. Despite Jasprit Bumrah often outpacing Shami in terms of wickets, Roberts believes Shami is the complete package due to his well-rounded skill set.
In a candid assessment, Roberts noted that Shami’s consistency, control, and ability to swing and seam the ball make him stand out. Andy Roberts, part of the feared West Indian pace attack during the 1970s and 80s alongside legends like Michael Holding, Joel Garner, and Malcolm Marshall, spoke highly of Shami’s contribution to Indian cricket.
The former fast bowler emphasized that while Bumrah might claim more wickets, Shami’s versatility and consistency on the field make him India’s best pacer. “Shami has been India’s best bowler for a while. He may not get the amount of wickets that Bumrah does, but he’s the full package. He swings the ball, seams it, and his control is as good as Bumrah’s,” Roberts said.
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Both Bumrah and Shami have been the mainstay of India’s pace attack for several years, creating a formidable partnership that has terrorized opposition batters worldwide. Together, they have achieved numerous milestones, helping India become a dominant force in world cricket.
However, when it comes to Mohammed Siraj, Andy Roberts wasn’t as convinced. The legendary fast bowler expressed that Siraj, while a talented pacer, is not yet at Shami’s level. In fact, Roberts went on to back Shami to take Siraj’s place in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, provided Shami is fit. “Shami should play. Mohammed Siraj is nowhere near Shami,” Roberts stated bluntly.
Siraj, currently India’s second-best pacer in the absence of Shami, has been under scrutiny for his performances in the ongoing series. He delivered an underwhelming spell in Adelaide, finishing with figures of 4-98, which has raised concerns about his consistency and ability to step up in critical moments. Siraj will be under pressure to perform in the remaining Tests of the series.
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Shami, who hasn’t played international cricket since the ODI World Cup 2023 final, has been recovering from an Achilles heel surgery earlier this year. His absence has kept him out of crucial tournaments like the IPL and the T20 World Cup. Although Shami was initially named in the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he missed out due to knee swelling during his rehabilitation. However, India’s captain Rohit Sharma has left the door open for Shami’s return, stating, “The doors are always open for Shami.”
