Sydney: When Mohammad Shami landed in Australia late last year, he was just another member of Indian pace attack.
No one ever expected this 25-year-old pacer to transform himself into a bowler who can be among the top wicket-takers of the World Cup as fans plead for his autographs.
At the Sydney Cricket Ground, many wanted to shake hands with him. He is the third highest wicket taker in this World Cup with 17 wickets, just one wicket behind Australia’s Mitchell Starc (18) and two behind the leading bowler Trent Boult with 19 wickets. Not used to such a fan following, when his name is called out by fans, Shami stops and acknowledges them unlike other stars. And when some of them extended their hands to greet him, he broke the security and shyly reached out to everyone.
Indian fans are expecting this Bengal bowler to strike in the semi-finals. Though not as quick as Mitchell Johnson, Starc or Boult, he is capable of getting even the best batsmen to commit mistakes. His ability to move the ball has won him laurels and his accuracy has been amazing.
For this cricketer who has struggled hard and toiled enough to clinch a place among the top pacers, this success must be very rewarding. After migrating to Kolkata from Sahaspur in Uttar Pradesh to pursue his cricket career, he used to sleep in a club tent and share hotel rooms while he earned just IRS 500 per match (Dh40) in the early days of his career.
Shami worked hard with his bowling coach Bharat Arun at the Sydney ground nets, wanting to give his best in the semi-finals. He now bowls consistently at 140 kmph and is not looking at changing his action to generate more pace. While speaking after a match, Shami said: “I don’t want to change much in my action and most of the ex-players have advised me against doing that. It is always a double-edged sword to change one’s action. It can work for you or go against you.”
Shami has, however, changed a little of his run-up on Arun’s advice. “I am satisfied with the little change that I have made to my run-up,” he added.
Arun feels that Shami is a bowler with the best release of the ball from the hand. Speaking to BCCI TV, Arun explained: “The seam position of the ball at the time of delivery and landing is outstanding. He can look forward to a really bright future, which augurs well for Indian cricket.”
