Despite not featuring in India’s playing XI in the first 3 games in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, Mohammad Shami was sparkling with rhythm and rhyme in India’s game versus New Zealand. The speedster was the cynosure of all eyes in the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Sunday as he bagged 5 wickets and became the only Indian to log 2 fifers in the ODI World Cup.
India registered a comfortable 5-wicket victory over the Kiwis and moved to the top of the points table. Records fell as Shami, who was playing his first game in this ODI World Cup, sent out a strong statement with respect to his spectacular bowling.
Head Coach Rahul Dravid and co. will now have several selection headaches as Mohammad Shami has cemented his place in the playing XI of India.
In this article, we take a look at 3 reasons why Mohammad Shami should be in the playing XI of India in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023:
1. Mohammad Shami’s superlative form
The blistering red-hot form of Mohammad Shami is hard to neglect. Playing in his debut match in this ODI World Cup, Shami hogged the limelight. He registered bowling figures of 5/54 and was synonymous with greatness.
His form has been good and is a strong reason why he should be in India’s playing XI in this ICC ODI World Cup 2023, irrespective of the pitch conditions.
2. Hugely experienced in ODI World Cups
Mohammad Shami has been an integral part of Team India since the ICC ODI World Cup 2015 and has truckloads of experience under his belt. The 33-year-old pacer was the second-highest wicket taker of India in the 2015 and the 2019 ODI World Cups, with 17 and 14 wickets respectively.
Overall, Shami is the third-highest wicket taker of India in the ODI World Cup, with 31 wickets in his kitty. With so much experience with him, it elevates the confidence of the Indian cricket team whenever he is playing.
3. Forms a deadly trio of pacers
If India plays Mohammad Shami in their starting XI then the pace trio of India in the form of Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj becomes too hot to handle for the opposition batters.
All the 3 bowlers are in stupendous form and it would send shivers down the spines of the opposition teams. Teams would then be scared before facing a menacing bowling line-up of the Indian cricket team.
Also read: ICC ODI World Cup 2023: 3 Reasons Why Bas De Leede Can Perform Well
