Mohammed Shami's absence was keenly felt: Sunil Gavaskar

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar stated that Team India missed the services of fast bowler Mohammed Shami on Day 1 of the 4th Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Speaking to NDTV, the legendary cricketer termed Shami as an impact bowler and added that his absence was keenly felt in the Indian dressing room.

“Shami’s injury has affected India, He has troubled Alastair Cook in the series. But today, Cook looked comfortable. Shami has the ability to extract some extra bounce off the surface. Shami is an impact bowler and his absence is keenly felt,” Gavaskar said. Shami was ruled out of the Mumbai Test due to a sore knee.

England who came into match trailing 0-2 in the series, applied themselves well and courtesy a brilliant century from debutant Keaton Jennings ended the day’s play at 288/5 with Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler at the crease. Gavaskar felt that the match was evenly poised but if England manages to get past 400 then it will definitely put the Indians under some sort of a pressure.

The original “Little Master” also congratulated debutant Keaton Jennings on scoring a terrific century. “I was impressed by Keaton Jennings’ temperament. The young man looks a promising player for England. Temperament is what separates the boys from the men. Players can work on their technique, but temperament is key in Test cricket,” he said.

Gavaskar was also pleased with the way Virat Kohli marshalled his troops at the Wankhede Stadium. “Virat should have brought Jadeja on much earlier. He used the new ball bowlers for too long. There should have been a change when Umesh Yadav was being hammered. These are little things. But on the whole, Virat did nothing wrong. I was impressed with his captaincy,” Gavaskar said.

England had a firm grip on the game in the first two sessions but Ravi Ashwin’s superb spell in the final session of the day helped the hosts to claw back into the match. Gavaskar said that if Ashwin can help the Indians restrict England to 325 on Day 2, then the hosts will have the edge in the ongoing Test.