'Shami Is Underrated Because...' - Ex-English Legend Decodes Indian Seamer

image-lof7u6a9Mohammed Shami in action | Source: X.com

Former England pacer Steve Harmison heaped praise on senior Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, who kicked off his World Cup 2023 campaign with a bang, picking up a five-wicket haul against New Zealand, and followed it by another four-wicket haul. 

With only two matches under his belt in the current tournament, the Uttar Pradesh fast bowler has already taken nine wickets. Harmison said that Mohammed Shami is among the most underrated pacers because he is not Jasprit Bumrah.


Here’s how Harmison compared Shami to Bumrah: 

“He (Mohammed Shami) is one of the most underrated fast bowlers in world cricket because he is not Jasprit Bumrah. Haris Rauf is the same when it comes to Shaheen Afridi. The ability of Shami being able to move the ball from that off stump either way just makes the two of them a completely different proposition.”

Meanwhile, Harmison also lauded India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has been the most consistent bowler for India in the showpiece event so far. The right-arm pacer is currently the leading wicket-taker for India in the tournament with 14 wickets in nine matches. 

“Bumrah causes so many problems for top-order batters that the other bowlers can feed off. In the times when Australia have been so good, it's been Mitchell Starc, and the others fed off him. Shaheen Afridi is the same for Pakistan. But I think Bumrah makes for India. His ability to hold length and make a batter not understand where his off stump is is crucial.”

India will next lock horns with Sri Lanka on Thursday, November 2 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Notably, the Rohit Sharma-led side is the only team in the marquee event which has been undefeated so far with six wins from as many games.