Mohammed Shami's accuracy was phenomenal against New Zealand: Aakash Chopra

After India registered a stunning victory against New Zealand on the back of Mohammed Shami's fifer and Virat Kohli's 95, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra lauded the pacer and explained why he was a success against the Kiwis. India restricted New Zealand to 273 where Shami grabbed five wickets after conceding 54 runs in his quota of 10 overs, and India went on to win the crucial clash by four wickets.

Hosting JioCinema’s daily sports show ‘#AAKASHVANI,’ Aakash Chopra heaped praise on Mohammed Shami’s performance and explained why he was successful against New Zealand in Dharamsala on Sunday. “This was Mohammed Shami’s first match of the World Cup, and he returned with five wickets. It looked like he was bowling into a ‘gun barrel straight’.

This is a phrase used for a pipe. It seems he was bowling consistently into that pipe. His accuracy was phenomenal. The length that he maintains varies and he also gets reverse swing. So that was the reason why India, who would have been chasing about 325 runs, ended up with a target of 274. The billion-dollar question is: Will Shami stay in the XI when Hardik is fit? Well, I don’t have an answer for that at the moment.” 

Daryl Mitchell was singularly responsible for New Zealand's success against Kuldeep Yadav: Aakash Chopra

Chopra also spoke about the Kiwis’ success against Kuldeep Yadav. “Daryl Mitchell was singularly responsible for that. The way he used his feet was commendable. He was reading the ball in Kuldeep’s hand very well and was stepping out and reaching it. He is tall, has long levers, and has a good flow but more than that, he had the confidence to step out and reach the pitch of the ball and then hit it straight. The ground at Dharamsala has shorter straight boundaries, and Mitchell got the better of Kuldeep.”