India's seasoned pacer, Mohammed Shami, has downplayed his success in the Cricket World Cup, suggesting he has done nothing extraordinary. He attributed his performance to a focus on stump-to-stump length and strategic delivery placement to create wicket opportunities.
Leading the bowling attack for India, Shami has emerged as the top wicket-taker in the World Cup, securing an impressive 23 wickets in six matches at an economy rate of 5.01, including standout performances with 3 five-wicket hauls.
Reflecting on his approach, Shami emphasized situational awareness, considering factors such as pitch conditions and ball behaviour. "If the ball is not swinging, I try and bowl stump to stump while trying to land it in a zone where the ball can catch an edge of the batters when they are driving," Shami explained in an interview with Star Sports.
Initially absent from the World Cup's early matches, Shami stepped into a prominent role following Hardik Pandya's injury. Renowned for his pace and seam movement, Shami's adaptability to varying conditions has been pivotal to India's success.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri acknowledged Shami's impact, predicting a crucial role for him in the upcoming final against Australia. Shastri commended Shami's consistent ability to hit the right lengths, creating challenges for opposing batsmen.
As the cricketing world looks forward to the high-stakes final in Ahmedabad on Sunday, Shami's prowess with the ball adds a crucial dimension to India's strategy, with Shastri expressing confidence in his seam presentation and ability to trouble batsmen with skillful deliveries.