Top 6 bowling performances of Mohammed Shami in ODI cricket

In the ongoing World Cup 2019, India's domination has been a combination of top performances from the batting and bowling front. However, in the bowling department, Mohammed Shami has undoubtedly been the biggest positive for India.

With 13 wickets from just three games, including a five-wicket haul, Shami has been the epicentre of India managing to defend sub-par totals against Afghanistan and West Indies. Bhuvneshwar's injury has been a blessing in disguise for India as Shami has emerged as the top wicket-taker for India in just three matches.

He has been fast, accurate and has consistently hit the right areas. He gives the Indian bowling attack the edge that will be crucial in the business end of the World Cup.

Apart from his top show in this World Cup, Shami is the quickest Indian and second fastest bowler overall to pick up 100 ODI wickets and so far in his career, Shami has taken 135 wickets in 66 matches including four 'man of the match' awards in the process.

Here is a look at the top six spells from Mohammed Shami in the history of ODI cricket.

#6 India v Pakistan, Delhi 2013 (9-4-23-1)

Shami made his debut against Pakistan in 2013

India were miserable in the first two games and were on the brink of a shameful whitewash defeat through the hands of their arch-rivals Pakistan. On a chilly Delhi morning, India batted first and made a meagre 167 on board. The embarrassment was surely on the cards and only a miracle could save India.

However, the bowlers stepped up and brought in their A-game. Mohammad Shami was making his debut and consistently bowled on the right line and length. He bowled four maiden overs in his spell and never allowed Pakistan to get easy runs.

Although he managed to pick up only one wicket but with that performance, Shami launched his ODI career. Under pressure, playing his first match for the country while defending a minimal total, Shami showed up as if he belonged at that level.

He beat the outside edge of the bat a number of times and if only for some luck, he could have easily got a few more wickets.

#5 New Zealand v India, Napier 2019 (6-2-19-3)

Shami's spell in Napier more than ensured his place in the World Cup squad. He was superb with the new ball and removed both the openers cheaply. He bowled two maidens with the new ball and didn't give away any easy runs. he came back with the old ball and provided a crucial breakthrough as he removed Mitchell Santner.

New Zealand were never in the game post the loss of their openers and got bundled out for just 156 as India easily chased that down with 8 wickets in hand courtesy of a fine half-century from Shikhar Dhawan.

Shami ended up as the leading wicket-taker of the series from India with 9 wickets to his name in four matches.

#4 England v India, Birmingham 2014 (7.3-1-28-3)

England V India 4th ODI, Birmingham, 2014

India had already lost the test series 3-1 and this was a rare chance of winning a silverware in England. India were 2-0 up in the series and a victory would have handed the series in favor of India. England batted first and got off to a terrible start. Shami and Bhuvi gave India early breakthroughs and England were reeling at 23-3.

Shami came back and dismissed Buttler to break the momentum of English innings. England were bundled out for 205 and the Indian openers demolished the England bowling to win by nine wickets and hand India a confidence-boosting ODI series victory.

#3 India v Afghanistan, Southampton 2019 (9.5-1-40-4)

Shami was in fine form against Afghanistan

Bhuvneshwar picked up an injury during India's game against Pakistan and for the next game, Shami came into the XI to replace him against Afghanistan. India managed to put up a below-par fighting total of 224 courtesy of half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Kedar Jadhav.

Shami made an immediate impact as he removed the dangerous Zazai early in the innings. The Indian bowlers were brilliant throughout the innings and riding on Bumrah's brilliance in the middle overs, Shami made short work of the lower order.

Set a target of 16 runs to defend from the final over, Shami removed Nabi in the third ball of the over and castled the last two batsmen from continuous deliveries to register a memorable hat-trick as India completed a nervy 11-run win.

#2 India v West Indies, Manchester 2019 (6.2-0-16-4)

West Indies v India - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Against West Indies, India put up a decent score of 268 on a wicket that had something for the bowlers. Virat Kohli's 72 and MS Dhoni's 61-ball unbeaten 56 laid the platform as it seemed to be a good total.

Mohammed Shami breathed fire right from the start as he first removed Chris Gayle with a rising delivery and then castled Shai Hope in the next over with an absolute stunning delivery.

He came back and removed the dangerous Shimron Hetmyer, who looked set in the middle overs straightaway in his second spell. In the end, he finished West Indies' chase with a bumper that was too tough to handle for Oshane Thomas.

#1 India v Pakistan, Adelaide 2015 (9-1-35-4)

India v Pakistan - 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup

India were playing arch-rivals Pakistan in their campaign opener of the 2015 World Cup. India batted first and put up a decent total of 300 on board. The wicket was good to bat on and the match was very much open with Pakistan boasting of some quality batsmen.

Shami was fast and immaculate with the line and length in his opening spell. His bouncer to dismiss Younis Khan sent jitters in the Pakistani camp. Later, he picked up massive wickets of Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq and Wahab Riaz and made sure that India's clean record over Pakistan in the World Cup remained intact.

Shami was the fifth highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 17 wickets to his name from seven matches.