Mohammed Shami struggles amidst decent Indian bowling

Mohammed Shami has effortlessly been one of India’s most consistent and reliable bowlers in Test cricket. He possesses the ability to swing the ball which has led to the dismissals of several batsmen. The Bengal fast-bowler has been lethal even on subcontinent wickets and has churned out wickets at crucial stages of a game.

Before the start of India’s tour of South Africa, Shami was expected to deliver with the cherry on wickets which are conducive to fast-bowling. He hit his straps at the Newlands in Cape Town. He made the ball talk and caught the Proteas batsmen napping. However, he didn’t have an overly impressive opening day in the current Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

An ordinary day for Shami

Statistically, he was India’s most expensive bowler of the day with figures of 11-2-46-0. The pacer looked off-colour and hardly posed a threat to the South African batsmen. Meanwhile, he also bowled the least number of overs for India on the day, which doesn’t spring a surprise. Shami was down on pace and dished out juicy half-volleys for the batsmen to latch on.

Virat Kohli changed Shami’s bowling end, but it hardly made any difference. He was gingerly in his run-up and never looked intimidating. He tried his heart out by attempting to crank up the pace in his second spell during the afternoon session. However, the sapping heat made him struggle and he hardly found rhythm into his bowling.

India took the second ball in the 87th over and quite expectantly, Mohammed Shami wasn’t entrusted with the responsibility of having a crack at the Proteas batters. India could have landed in deep trouble, however, exemplary pieces of fielding and some probing channels by Ravichandran Ashwin saved the day for India. However, in order for India to get South Africa on the mat, Shami has to step up with the ball.

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