Five-star Shami puts India in driver’s seat against Proteas
CENTURION: Mohammed Shami’s sheer artistry with new and old ball fetched him another five-wicket haul as India seized control of the first Test against South Africa on the third day by extending its overall lead to 146 runs that could prove to be decisive.
Shami (16-5-44-5) and his pace bowling colleagues Jasprit Bumrah (7.22-16-2), Mohammed Siraj (15.3-1-451) and Shardul Thakur (11-1-51-2) further enhanced their reputation as world beaters by dismissing the Proteas for mere 197.
The quartet neutralised Lungi Ngidi’s lion-hearted morning spell which saw him finish on 6 for 71 from 24 overs as India lost seven wickets from 55 runs to be all-out on 327. The wily old Shami, manfully shouldered the duties of a pace spearhead for the better part of the 62.3 overs because of Japrit Bumrah’s twisted ankle. He also completed a satisfying personal milestone of 200 Test wickets.
With a first innings lead of 130, India at stumps reached 16 for 1 losing Mayank Agarwal’s wicket.
While Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada did well in the morning, Shami did way better in the afternoon in company of Bumrah, Siraj and Shardul.
Shami used the angles of the crease very effectively and the movement off the pitch did the rest. The example was how he got Keegan Peterson and Aiden Markram with deliveries which were slightly different in execution.
Once the top half was blown off, India didn’t have problems even as
the pitch eased out. Temba Bavuma (52) and Quinton de Kock (34) added 72 runs for the fifth wicket.
If Shami didn’t get wickets, then Siraj did and when Siraj went through a dry spell, Shardul chipped in and by the time Bumrah got fit, he helped the team in wrapping up the opposition tail.