Reason why 2nd innings star Mohammed Shami bowled only three overs

New Zealand, as expected, defeated India in the second Test on Monday. On the second day itself, the visitors had lost six wickets with a lead of less than 100 and it didn’t take long for Trent Boult and Co to finish things off on the third morning. India were bundled out for just 124 runs in their second innings setting up a target of 132 runs for the opposition.

It took only 36 overs for the hosts to gun down the total with seven wickets in hand. While Umesh Yadav picked a wicket, Jasprit Bumrah plucked a couple. However, the Indian fans were surprised to see the second innings star Mohammed Shami bowl only three overs defending a paltry total.

Shami generally sets the stage on fire in the second innings and has, in the recent past, picked wickets in clusters. But India missed him at the Hagley Oval even as Virat Kohli bowled a solitary over.

Mohammed Shami was hit on the shoulder while batting

The main reason for Mohammed Shami not bowling much in the second innings was the blow he took on his right shoulder while batting. After coming out with a willow, Shami tried to clear his front leg and whack off Trent Boult. But the left-arm seamer cleverly bowled a short ball which hit the batsman on his shoulder.

The impact was telling and Shami felt it even more after India’s innings came to an end. He was also seen talking to Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri about the same before taking the field. In the pain, he tried to bowl a few overs and after sending down 18 deliveries, was seen signalling the skipper that he is struggling.

Accordingly, after lunch, Mohammed Shami didn’t come out to bowl with the likes of Umesh and Bumrah, along with Ravindra Jadeja doing the bulk of the job. The BCCI released a statement regarding the same which read, “Mohammed Shami suffered a ball impact injury while batting. He is receiving treatment for the same and is currently off the field.”

There is still no update about how serious Mohammed Shami’s injury is. Also, with the ODI series against South Africa at home set to commence on March 12, India will hope that he gets fit in time.