Shami has mastered the art of reverse swing, says Rohit

Visakhapatnam, Oct. 6: Mohammad Shami’s mastery over reverse swing has been one of the big plus points for the Indian team while playing on slow unresponsive pitches, feels India opener Rohit Sharma.

Shami picked up his fifth five wicket haul in Tests as India comfortably beat South Africa by 203 runs. “We have seen him (Shami) in these conditions not just today but earlier also. I still remember our debut together in Kolkata (2013), where the pitch was not exactly like this but on day four and five, it was slightly lower and slower,” Rohit, who scored twin hundreds on his opening “debut” said.

“He knows how to bowl on these pitches, gets reverse swing straight into play once he knows there is some help on offer,” said Rohit. Executing reverse swing is easier said than done, feels the stylish Mumbaikar.

“It is not easy to bowl when the reverse is happening. You need to pitch in the right areas, need to make sure the ball is just around the off-stump and it comes and hits the middle-stump. He has mastered that art now, bowling with the old ball and getting it to reverse.”

The conditions in Visakhapatnam were ideal for him as the Bengal speedster got the ball to reverse both ways. “Yes these type of conditions are pretty ideal for him. He makes them play all the balls and it is tough for the batsmen on a pitch like this, where the ball was doing something from the cracks. It keeps you in the game,” he added.

He knows how to bowl on these pitches, gets reverse swing straight into play once he knows there is some help on offer.

— ROHIT SHARMA