Image Credit- AP
The 50-over World Cup statistics for Mohammed Shami
are impressive: 12 games, 36 wickets at an average of 15.02, and an economy of
5.09.
Shami is without a doubt one of India’s key fast
bowlers. But he hadn’t quite been the one at the 2023 World Cup thus far. Until
Sunday, of course, in Dharamsala, when he defeated New Zealand with flawless
front-row control and death-overs skill, leaving an enduring impression.
Shami’s second World Cup five-for under the Himalayan mist couldn’t quite be
overshadowed, not even by an outstanding Virat Kohli innings.
Not because he is less skilled than those preferred
above him, but rather because the team management has found comfort in having
some batting insurance at No. 8, provided by Shardul Thakur, Shami has had to
watch much of the early parts of the campaign from the sidelines.
The team management had to make at least one change
for Sunday’s game due to Hardik Pandya’s injury, but they really made two.
Playing Shami in place of Shardul was a riskier choice because they were giving
up this batting depth, which has been a thorn in India’s side, against a potent
lineup that had the upper hand over India in ICC competitions. Suryakumar Yadav
for Hardik appeared like a no-brainer.
However, as New Zealand’s innings went on, it became
apparent why they had chosen Shami, even though they may not have instantly
understood the potential this choice may unlock for the remainder of their
campaign. After all, they had a target to shoot for under the lights, and it
was 273 versus Trent Boult, Matt Henry, and Lockie Ferguson, the people
responsible for their worst recent anguish.
Without Shami’s ability to control an innings that was
about to go into overdrive, India could have very easily been chasing 320
instead of gasping in the end. The firing of Rachin Ravindra for 75 was the
catalyst.
Ravindra picked out long-on thanks to Shami’s cunning
variation, a cutter into the pitch that held up just a little bit more than in
the previous games.
Although it wasn’t a normal fast bowler’s pitch,
Shami’s knowledge of the surface and the tweak he made were evident in the
setup.
India took the final six New Zealand wickets for 30,
with Shami taking three of them.
If India had faltered in their pursuit, all the fuss
surrounding Shami’s magic might have evaporated into thin air. They did
experience some anxious moments, such as when the target was still 83 yards
away and KL Rahul and Suryakumar were both quickly despatched. As the World Cup
approaches the midway point, Shami may have a bigger role to play thanks to
Jadeja’s coolness, which supported India’s explosive top order.
They might lose their lower-order potential, yes. What
happens, though, if the lower order isn’t even necessary, as it wasn’t in the
case of New Zealand? Either way, it’ll be a big decision, and Shami hasn’t made
it any simpler.