Mohammed Shami Ahmed: A new star is born

A cool breeze – that is probably the perfect phrase one can use with respect to the arrival of Mohammed Shami Ahmed in the Indian squad. It has been especially soothing after the scorching performance by Ishant Sharma in the last ODI! I would not hesitate to state that this is the most befitting replacement in recent times.

For many of my friends it seems too early and too quick a prediction, but I would gladly vouch for this young, honest and committed bowler – with the hope that we have finally got a solution to the ever existing bowling issues. During a brief chat after the match, this guy looked very composed, dedicated and with a spirit to do something for India. His simplicity and down to earth approach are worth appreciating.

In today’s crucial match, Shami Ahmed proved his worth as an opening bowler. He took three very important early wickets. His bowling card read 8-1-42-3 with a reasonable economy rate of 5.25. Also, had Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan not dropped a catch each, his haul would have been 5 wickets. Not bad!

This 23-year-old right arm medium fast bowler hails from Amroha district in Uttar Pradesh. He has been playing for Bengal in the domestic circuit. On his first class debut against Assam, he picked up 3 wickets. In the domestic T20 format, he has taken 14 wickets in 8 games and his best has been 4-24.

He has been playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL since 2011. During the 2012-2013 season, he demonstrated a thrilling performance in the Ranji Trophy. Against Hyderabad, he took 4 for 36 and 6 for 71 in the two innings. Against Madhya Pradesh, again, in a commendable show of skill, he clinched 7 for 79 and 4 for 72 – which included a hat-trick too.

Owing to these results, he got a big break by being selected in India’s ODI team. While playing against Pakistan on 6th January 2013 at Delhi, he took 1 wicket for 23 runs in 9 overs. Incidentally, this was the first time that four maiden overs were bowled by any Indian bowler on his debut. Thereafter, he got selected for the ongoing Australia series and after waiting for 3 ODIs, he was given an opportunity. This chance rightfully resulted in 3 timely wickets.

Till date he has played in 12 ODIs with a total of 13 wickets. It appears that we have got a brilliant seamer who happens to be among the fastest of Indians, with a speed of 140 kmph.

Saurav Ganguly was very impressed by Shami today. He said that Shami Ahmed will be able to strike on any surface. He appreciated Ahmed’s immaculate bowling action, in which he gets pretty close to the wickets. He bowls with near-perfect line and length; most of his deliveries are accurate. He was able to put visible pressure on the batsmen in today’s match. He used his controlled and skilful bowling to register a wonderful spell. This brief commendation by a former Indian skipper is very heartening.

It was certainly not a good experience to see Ishant Sharma ruining the efforts of captain Dhoni during the last ODI. And today, rain played spoilsport as far as the hard work done by Shami Ahmed is concerned. But hopefully, in the future, Mohammed Shami Ahmed will take charge of the pace bowling effectively. He and Bhuvneshwar Kumar could hunt in a pair. Let us all pray for him – as well as for Ishant Sharma! Amen.