How Mohammed Shami took the mantle of India’s bowling superstar in World Cup

As Mohammed Shami retraced his steps to the top of his run-up, Virat Kohli goaded the fans at Wankhede Stadium to unleash their full-throated chants – Shaamii! Shaamii! The crowd gleefully complied.
This moment served as affirmation of Shami’s standing in the World Cup, where he emerged as India’s bowling sensation, akin to Kohli’s prowess with the bat.
His ascendancy wasn’t solely a result of his stellar performance against New Zealand on Wednesday night. Shami had transformed into a singular force, surpassing even Jasprit Bumrah in impact.
The statistics undeniably support this assertion. With 23 wickets from six matches, including three five-wicket hauls, Shami boasts a staggering strike-rate of 10.9 – the best in the tournament by a significant margin.
Yet, the numbers alone don’t narrate the complete tale.

For the initial four matches, Shami found himself relegated to the bench due to India’s strategic decision to field a batting all-rounder at No. 8, fortifying the lineup against potential top-order struggles.
In line with this strategy, R Ashwin featured in the match against Australia, while Shardul Thakur played against Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

A twist of fate – Hardik Pandya’s injury against Bangladesh – compelled the Indian management to reconsider their fixation. With the absence of the all-rounder, they needed a capable replacement for both batting and bowling in the crucial match against New Zealand at Dharamsala.
Enter Shami, who promptly left an indelible mark with a five-wicket haul against the Kiwis.

This turnaround was not only a testament to Shami’s cricketing prowess but also a tribute to his mental resilience in bouncing back from a period of frustration on the sidelines to deliver against top-notch opposition.
Vikram Rathour, India’s batting coach, echoed this sentiment.
“Shami is a special bowler, and he is bowling really well. It was tough to get him into the team because of team combination. But he was in a great mind-space even when he was not playing,” said Rathour.
Shami opted to leave his mark on an even grander stage in Mumbai – the World Cup semifinals, choosing the same opponent, New Zealand.

Though New Zealand was pursuing a formidable 398, the combination of a smooth Wankhede pitch and their deep batting lineup meant India couldn’t afford to ease up. Wickets were imperative to sustain the pressure.
Shami provided the ideal commencement by dismissing Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, caught behind by KL Rahul. Conway succumbed to a delivery that deviated slightly, while Ravindra fell victim to one that came in just enough.
Despite Shami’s early breakthroughs, India found themselves on the defensive as Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell forged a partnership of 181 runs for the third wicket. The Black Caps seemed well within striking distance of victory.
In the 33rd over, Rohit reintroduced Shami. Williamson failed to clear the distance against a Shami delivery that hurried onto him from a length, and on the very next ball, Tom Latham was trapped leg before to a ball that skidded back with the angle.

It’s this versatility in Shami’s bowling that elevates him to a formidable threat.
Mohammed Badaruddin, Shami’s childhood coach, shed light on this aspect.
“You watch any of his dismissals, he does not bowl all that wobble seam deliveries or he does not hit the pitch hard. Watch that dismissal of Conway last night, you’ll get it.
“His seam is always up and has a perfect release. He can skid the balls off the surface at a good pace from the same slot — tough for batters to pick which one will come in or go out.
“These are natural abilities and he is willing to work hours on his skills – ability and hard work are certain to bring success,” tells Badaruddin.
Bumrah frequently tempts batsmen into making mistakes by targeting the off-stump area, whereas Shami consistently directs his attack towards the stumps. Perhaps, among contemporary bowlers, no one employs this strategy as consistently as Shami.
Williamson, who is also Shami’s teammate at Gujarat Titans, emphasized this distinctive trait.
“He is, without a doubt, one of the top operators in the world and the way he moves the ball and he keeps bringing the stumps into play. It has been quite phenomenal,” said Williamson.
Another dimension to Shami’s bowling prowess is his effectiveness against left-handed batsmen. Among his 23 dismissals, eight are of this type and include top-tier players like Conway, Ravindra, Latham, Ben Stokes and more.
His average against left-handed batsmen in this tournament is an impressive four.
As India gear up for the final on Sunday against either Australia or South Africa, both teams boasting prolific left-handers in David Warner and Quinton de Kock, they are well aware that a Shami storm awaits them in Ahmedabad.