India’s Mohammed Shami produced a match-winning display in his first appearance at the 50-overs World Cup, and the seamer said he had no issues warming the bench until being recalled for Sunday’s clash against 2019 runners-up New Zealand. Shami watched from the sidelines as his team won each of their first four matches, and the right-arm bowler would have sat out again but for an ankle injury to Hardik Pandya, which forced the team to recall the 33-year-old.
The right-hander took full advantage of his chance and claimed five wickets in a thrilling encounter that ended in India’s seventh straight win at the tournament, with a 2-1 victory in Dharamsala. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award as he returned astounding figures of 5 for 54 in energy-sapping conditions.
Having come on to replace an injured Pandya, Shami began the game by striking with his first delivery, spectacularly removing Will Young. The 33-year-old then added the scalps of Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Matt Henry, and Mitchell Santner to move up to third on the list of all-time Indian ODI World Cup wicket-takers behind Jasprit Bumrah and Anil Kumble.
India captain Rohit Sharma hailed the performance of his pacers, especially Shami’s, as they moved top of the table with four wins from their opening four games. “It was a fantastic performance by the whole unit,” Sharma told reporters in Dharamsala. “The way the bowlers fought, it was incredible to see.
Meanwhile, India all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s injury suffered during Thursday’s game against Bangladesh appeared minor and will not affect his participation in Sunday’s clash against New Zealand, the hosts. Pandya was trying to stop a straight drive by Litton Das when he twisted his left ankle and tumbled onto the ground. He was then assisted by the team’s physio and could not continue playing, with Rohit saying the injury will be assessed later on Friday.
