Shami’s dream debut
kolkata — The impeccable line and length was key to Mohammed Shami’s grand success on debut, India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Friday said as the paceman impressed with his ability to reverse swing the ball.
Shami took nine wickets in the match, the second best figures for an Indian bowler on debut, as India bundled out the visitors for a paltry 168 in their second innings to win the match by an innings and 51 runs.
“It was the disciplined bowling that really helped us. Shami was fantastic, the line he bowled I think the most of the fast bowlers had got the reverse swing but he got the right line and length and that was the key. I think that’s the reason he got nine wickets in this game,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“You need a bit of pace if you want to dominate, he has very good seam positioning which means he can reverse away from the righthanders too. On a wicket that has more bounce he can move the ball both ways,” he added. Dhoni also praised all-round performance of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who became the first India player to hit a hundred and take five wickets in Tests twice.
“He bowled a disciplined line and length, he did not try too many things. It really contributes overall as a bowling unit. It helps the other bowlers because they are not giving away too many runs. Overall, I am happy with the performance.
“If you look at the way cricket is played these days, if your 8, 9, 10, 11 players can contribute, then it becomes a key factor if you have a partnership lower down the order. Ashwin batted beautifully... like a proper batsman. He has really proved it at the Test level and it’s good to see the way he batted with Rohit and got the partnership going,” Dhoni said.
“You have to believe in destiny. In Nagpur, there was a game in which he was supposed to play but during a warm-up session he injured his ankle just before the match. We all know he is very talented and now it’s reflected on the field too. He is really enjoying his cricket which is the key. Hopefully, as we go ahead, he takes more responsibility.” —