Birthday boy Mohammad Shami a great find for Team India

Mohammed Shami

Did you know that an Indian pace bowler has got a pretty impressive bowling average of 14.60 in T20 internationals? His bowling speed of 140kmph, combined with the accuracy and pace, really proves deadly for the opposition batsmen to handle.

Yes, Mohammed Shami, the latest find for Team India, completes 24 years of age on 9th March. He is a very effective seam bowler who has got tremendous control over his line and length. His passion and commitment are always visible, as he puts in all out efforts behind every ball he bowls.

Also, despite being a fast bowler, he has been able to maintain a commendable level of fitness. He has shown that he is capable of bowling long spells without compromising on quality of the bowling. But is he ready to lead the Indian bowling attack?

Shami has been the most consistent bowler for India recently. He is a keen learner and is always ready to improvise. Recently, when veteran Zaheer Khan accompanied Team India on the tours of South Africa and New Zealand, Shami was seen taking valuable tips from him.

Also, Shami has become the second fastest Indian bowler to have taken 50 ODI wickets in 29 matches, that too during a short span of a few months. Ajit Agarkar holds the record of taking the fastest 50 wickets, in just 23 matches.

Apart from being an effective pacer, Shami is also a decent fielder who always contributes for team India. He has got a cool temperament and his behaviour off the field is appreciated by one and all. His focused efforts very often yield results. Although his economy tilts towards the higher side, but it is apprehended that once he gets good support from the other end, his bowling skills will sharpen further. Another vital quality in his bowling is that he can swing the ball both ways. His fighting spirit is really worth appreciating, as he never gives up – even when he isn’t getting the desired results.

Until last year, Mohammed Shami used to play for Kolkata Knight Riders, but this year he has been bought by Delhi Daredevils for Rs 4.25 crores during the Indian Premier League auction. This appears to be an interesting equation, as his base prise was rupees 1 crore, but ultimately he was able to fetch a very handsome fee! In IPL 2014, he will be under the scanner, along with the other youngsters Rishi Dhawan and Karn Sharma.

We hope that he develops his bowling further and leads the Indian attack going forward. He seems to be the best equipped to do so, as Bhuvneshwar Kumar is too young and Ashwin is inconsistent. Others like Ishant and Varun Aaron also don’t seem to be consistent enough.

If Shami continues his development and replaces Zaheer Khan in the long run, it will prove to be a massive boost for Team India. Best wishes!