On Tuesday, the fiery Indian seamer, Mohammed Shami became the 11th Indian bowler to complete 200 wickets in Test cricket. He achieved the milestone after taking his 6th five-wicket haul in India’s opening Test against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. Shami is also the fifth Indian fast bowler to reach the tally after Kapil Dev, Ishant Sharma, Zaheer Khan, and Javagal Srinath.
On Day 3 of the ongoing Test, Mohammed Shami made sure that India amassed a mammoth lead of 130 runs in their first innings. The pacer got the prized wickets of Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Temba Bavuma, Wiaan Mulder, and Kagiso Rabada, and it left the hosts getting bundled out for a meager score of 197 in 62.3 overs.
Meanwhile, India’s limited-overs cricket, Rohit Sharma, lauded Shami for reaching the tally of 200 wickets in the longest format of the sport. Sharma was named the deputy skipper of the Test squad, but he failed to take part in the series against South Africa as he suffered a hamstring injury during a training session in Mumbai.
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While showering praises on Mohammed Shami, Rohit tweeted, “Double hundred is a special number.” As far as double centuries are concerned, Rohit has three of them to his name in ODI cricket, having scored them against Australia and Sri Lanka. Back in October 2019, the 34-year-old also racked up a Test double century against the Proteas in Ranchi.
Double hundred is a special number 😉 #200 👏
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) December 28, 2021
Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami after taking the 5-fer expressed gratitude to his father. The seamer praised him for supporting him through thick and thin during his career. He also talked about the hard work he has had to put in to scale new heights in international cricket.
WATCH – Jasprit Bumrah Suffers An Ankle Injury In The Centurion Test
After the end of the day’s play, Mohammed Shami said, “My father deserves a lot of credit for who I am right now and I am right now. Because I am from an area where it doesn’t have many facilities, it’s a special feeling to get a 5-wicket haul and lots of hard work required.”
India is well and truly on the driver’s seat in the Centurion Test, having taken a lead of 146 runs with nine wickets left in their second innings.
Here is how the cricketing fraternity praised Mohammed Shami for his achievement:
What an incredible display of fast-bowling from Mohammad Shami 💪#WTC23 | SAvIND pic.twitter.com/pLGr54uCWv
— ICC (@ICC) December 28, 2021
200 wickets for Shami, one of India's greatest across formats.
— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) December 28, 2021
What a champion spell. #Shami. 200 wickets. Didn't let India miss Bumrah today. Love watching him bowl.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 28, 2021
Let me say again: Bharat Arun was a very fine gift to India's attack & it was Ravi Shastri who delivered the gift.
Fast-tracking Bumrah, supporting Shami during difficult time, making Ishant leader of pack, introducing Siraj, backing Umesh.
Nxt task: keep this momentum going.
— KSR (@KShriniwasRao) December 28, 2021
Congratulations @MdShami11
You are a living testament to two of the most valuable parts of human life – family and hard work. Well done Shami. #MohammedShami pic.twitter.com/ndEJHFxq3d
— Anand Datla 🇮🇳 (@SportASmile) December 29, 2021
Another day where the visitors came out on 🔝
Shami bowled his heart out, and was duly rewarded with a 5⃣-fer as the other pacers supported him well 🙌🏼
Mayank perished cheaply, but KL and Thakur have stretched #TeamIndia's lead to 1⃣4⃣6⃣
🇮🇳 – 16/1 (6)#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/zgR0ORoufB
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) December 28, 2021
Mohammed Shami in Tests:
100th wicket – v SA at Centurion, 2018
200th wicket – v SA at Centurion, 2021Shami is the first player in Tests whose 100th wicket and 200th wicket came against the same team at the same venue.#SAvIND
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) December 28, 2021
Mohammad Shami is easily the world's most underrated pacer. Bhai ko halke mein maat lena, yeh toh heavy driver hai. Shami has the same quality as Bumrah, Anderson, Cummins. @MdShami11 #INDvsSA
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 28, 2021
