Shami shines in Kiwi warmup tie on return to Oneday setup
IMPRESSIVE Pacer asserts effectiveness with a threewicket haul as Virat Kohli’s side dismisses Black Caps for 189 in 38.4 overs
When Mohammed Shami was picked for India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2017 squad, it was the end of a long and agonising wait. It marked the pacer’s return to the limitedovers side after two years.
On Sunday, in a warm-up match against New Zealand at the Oval, Shami asserted his effectiveness with a three-wicket haul as Virat Kohli’s side restricted the Black Caps to 189 in 38.4 overs.
The pace sensation, who underwent knee surgery after India’s semifinal loss in the 2015 World Cup, returned to the Test side but was sidelined midway through the series against England due to ‘knee soreness’. He also had to cope with personal tragedy, his father’s demise.
Although Shami played 10 Tests and then the Indian Premier League, there was a big question over his fitness. But after Sunday, Shami might have convinced the doubters.
In a four-pronged pace attack, Shami was the shining star as he accounted for the top wickets of Martin Guptill, Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson and Neil Broom.
What might interest captain Kohli is that the other pacers – Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah – produced disciplined efforts and were economical. While Bhuvneshwar picked three wickets,
Umesh got one.
Thanks to the
Indian bowlers’ good show, none of the Kiwi batsmen, apart from
Luke Ronchi (66) and James
Neesham
(46*), could cross 15.
New Zealand batsmen fail After opting to bat, New Zealand suffered the first jolt in the third over as Shami produced some extra bounce against Guptill, who could not connect properly and was caught by Bhuvneshwar at mid-off.
Next came Williamson, and he too had a brief stay. He edged Shami and was well caught by Rahane at slip in the ninth over. Off the very next ball, Shami got his third wicket as Broom edged him to wicketkeeper MS Dhoni.
Despite the departure of three batsmen in quick succession, Ronchi was unperturbed. He completed his half-century off 40 balls. But a long partnership was nowhere near for New Zealand as all-rounder Corey Anderson fell next, to Bhuvneshwar.
With four batsmen in the pavilion, it was time for India’s spinners to come to the fore. Jadeja dismissed Ronchi, who was waging a lone battle, reducing New Zealand to 110/5. He bowled the right-handed batsman as he missed the flat delivery completely.
It did not take Jadeja long to get his second wicket, Colin De Granhomme charging down the track to be stumped as New Zealand were reduced to 116/6.
Ashwin too joined the party in the 26th over as Mitchell Santner tried to go after him and was caught by Jadeja at long-on.
It looked like New Zealand might get all out for less than 150, but Neesham had other ideas. He went after Ashwin. He not only relied on the boundaries but frustrated the Indians.
However, he too fell short of partners and Adam Milne, Tim Southee and Trent Boult perished without major contributions. Neesham stayed unbeaten on 46.
India made a steady start in the chase and were 103/2 in 20 overs.