I learn a lot from Brad Hogg: Tabraiz Shamsi

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has a reputation of paving the way for little-known players to showcase their talent and have their shot at the limelight. 26-year-old South African spinner, Tabraiz Shamsi, is the most recent name who has got his platform after he was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The chinaman bowler was drafted into the side straight away as a replacement for the injured Samuel Badree.

His selection in the squad, obviously, has raised eyebrows. But, the south African spinner has not disappointed at all. In his opening match against the Rising Pune Supergiants, he finished with 1-36. He followed it up with figures of 4-0-21-1 against Gujarat Lions in a game where every bowler was clobbered for runs. However, despite Virat Kohli’s century and his brilliant efforts, Royal Challengers Bangalore were handed a six-wicket defeat by Gujarat Lions.

Shamsi, while talking at the post-match conference after the GL match, narrated how he was relieved at the thought of not bowling to the likes of Virat, Gayle, and AB de Villiers.

“I got many calls and a couple of family members messaged me (after getting selected by Royal Challengers Bangalore) saying thankfully you need not face Chris Gayle, Virat (Kohli), (AB) de Villiers and Watson,” he said after the game at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.

“I am in a good position at the moment and there aren’t any batsmen as good as these guys in the other teams,” he added.

Shamsi has not taken long to attract attention. His ability to tease batsmen into playing false shots with his chinamans and googlies has made people take note of him.

“I watch Brad Hogg a lot, as there are not many left-arm chinamans in the game right now. I try to watch him quite a bit. Me being a youngster, I learn a lot from him”.

He also spoke about his countryman and idol Imran Tahir.

“I am quite close to him (Imran Tahir) and he being a leg-spinner, he helps me a lot. He speaks a lot to me about my bowling. If I can be half as these guys I can be pretty good,” Shamsi said.

RCB’s bowling attack has been judged as toothless with none of the bowler showing any glimpse of helping their team win the match. However, Shami’s inclusion and could be a massive boost for RCB considering his performances in the past two games.

Also, read – We are just trying to find a combination: Stephen Fleming