Mohammad Shami will be India's biggest asset for the World Cup, says this legendary player

Indian pacer Mohammad Shami struck hard on Saturday in the first one-day international against Australia in Hyderabad. Shami took the key wicket of Glenn Maxwell who decimated India in the T20I series. Maxwell was cruising on 40 when Shami clean bowled him in the 40th over. Ashton Turner was too dismissed by Shami in the 38th over.

Post match, Indian skipper Virat Kohli while speaking to the press acknowledged Shami’s performance and said, “...the way Shami has come into the white-ball cricket set up is amazing. Never seen him so lean before. Got Maxi (Maxwell) out on 40 with a beautiful wicket. Just looking good for the World Cup.”

Former India pacer Ashish Nehra also feels that Shami is going to be a vital part of team India in 2019 ICC World Cup. The former pacer lauded Shami for his consistent performance. Nehra while speaking to CricketNext said, “Mohammed Shami has been really impressive, not just in this series and today’s game but for the last year and year-and-half. From South Africa tour I would say. Test cricket, he bowled really well. Bowled long spells. His fitness has been really really impressive.”

Shami has secured his place in the Indian cricket team with his different variations. Shami was awarded the man of the series trophy in the recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand that India won by 4-1.

Chasing 237, India were reduced to 99 for four at one point. Then came Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni to rescue India from troubled waters. They started slow but upped the ante as Jadhav scored 87-ball 81, while his partner Dhoni hit 72-ball 59. Mohammad Shami finished at 2-44 from 10 overs. India won the first ODI by 6 wickets and will play the second ODI on March 5 at Vidarbha Cricket Stadium in Nagpur.