3 Indians who have strengthened claims for a World Cup berth with performances in the Test series

#1 Mohammed Shami as the extra seamer

Performance in Australia

Overs – 134, Maidens – 25, runs conceded – 414, Wickets taken – 16

Mohammed Shami was the go-to bowler for Virat Kohli in the Australian series. He has been a partnership breaker and a constant threat to the Australian batsmen. His best performance came in the second innings of the Perth Test when he finished with figures of 6 for 56. In India’s victory at Adelaide and Melbourne, Shami contributed with 5 and 3 wickets respectively.

In the present Indian ODI squad, there are no effective fast bowlers to back up the new ball bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah. They do have a Hardik Pandya as a seam-bowling all-rounder. The emergence of Khaleel Ahmed is a good sign, him being a left arm fast bowler. But he is inexperienced in international cricket.

In this background, the recent performances of Mohammed Shami in the Test series would have delighted the selectors and the team management.

Though Shami is expensive at times, he is an out and out fast bowler who could be used as a strike bowler. He is good both with the new and old ball, particularly bowling to left-hand batsmen. He is an experienced bowler having played in 40 Test matches and 52 ODIs.

Shami’s nearest rival for a place in the World Cup squad is Umesh Yadav who hasn’t done anything exceptional in the only opportunity he got on a responsive wicket at Perth. Umesh has leaked a lot of runs in the past irrespective of the format of the game.

Hence Mohammed Shami could be the third or the fourth seamer India are looking for going into the World Cup. If anything, Shami has put forth his case so strongly before the selectors with his performance in Australia.

Apart from presenting India with a rare and first series win, the Australian Test series has thrown up some firm options to choose from for the World Cup. It is now up to the Indian selectors and team management to encash on such in-form players to the advantage of the team's fortune.