India’s experienced pacer Mohammed Shami made an instant impact in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, dismantling Bangladesh’s top order with a brilliant opening spell. His early breakthrough set the tone for India’s dominance, leaving Bangladesh struggling in the powerplay.
Shami’s Instant Impact
With Bangladesh opting to bat first, India handed the new ball to Shami, trusting his ability to exploit the conditions. The veteran pacer did not disappoint, striking in his very first over. A sharp delivery jagged back into Soumya Sarkar, catching him off guard. Attempting to drive on the up, Sarkar could only manage an outside edge, and KL Rahul made no mistake behind the stumps. Bangladesh had lost their first wicket without a single run on the board.
The dismissal sent shockwaves through the opposition camp, and Shami was not done yet. In his next over, he produced another moment of brilliance. A perfectly placed delivery outside off tempted Mehidy Hasan Miraz into a tentative poke, only for the ball to take a thick edge and fly to the slip cordon. Shubman Gill reacted swiftly, taking a sharp low catch to send Miraz back to the pavilion. With Bangladesh at 2/2, their innings was in disarray.
The Art of Seam Bowling
Shami’s performance was a masterclass in control and precision. He extracted movement from the pitch, using both seam and swing to trouble the batters. His ability to keep the ball in the corridor of uncertainty forced the Bangladeshi batsmen into making mistakes. Even those who survived his spell struggled to find fluency, as Shami continued to apply relentless pressure.
As an experienced campaigner, he has delivered in crunch situations before, and his spell against Bangladesh reaffirmed why he remains a crucial part of India’s bowling attack. His early breakthroughs ensured that India seized momentum right from the start, allowing other bowlers to attack freely.