Notably, Shami has played only a couple of matches for India and picked up eight wickets. This includes a hat-trick against Afghanistan.
India's Mohammed Shami (L) celebrates the wicket of West Indies' Shimron Hetmyer (R) for 18 during the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between West Indies and India at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on June 27, 2019. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
India is the only team to remain unbeaten in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. A major reason for India’s unbeaten run in the tournament so far is their bowling unit. Even when the batsmen have disappointed, their bowling has been impressive and has won them games.
The talk of this World Cup is not India’s batting but India’s bowling. In particular, Mohammed Shami has suddenly added a lot more zip to the Indian bowling setup.
Notably, Shami has played only a couple of matches for India and picked up eight wickets. This includes a hat-trick against Afghanistan.
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Second Indian to pick up a hat-trick in World Cup
The right-arm pacer featured in India’s two matches against Afghanistan and West Indies and picked up to four wickets in each of these two matches. This includes a hat-trick against Afghanistan which helped India win a thrilling contest.
With this, he became only the second Indian to achieve this feat. Prior to this, India’s Chetan Sharma had taken a hat-trick in 1987 World Cup.
Replaced Bhuvneshwar in the XI
It is to be noted here that Mohammed Shami who has been in excellent form in the last two matches was not India’s preferred seam bowler in the initial matches of the tournament. It was only when Bhuvneshwar Kumar was ruled out of a few matches in the world cup because of an injury that Shami was drafted into the side.
Shami has made the most of his opportunity and it would be interesting to see who features in the side when Bhuvi regains match fitness.
Most wickets by an Indian bowler in 2019
Mohammed Shami has in fact picked up most wickets by an Indian bowler in 2019. The 28 year old pacer has played 13 ODIs this year picking up 27 wickets. The second name on this list is that of Yuzvendra Chahal who is at 26.
Fastest Indian to 100 wickets
Shami is the fastest Indian to pick up 100 wickets. In the beginning of this year when India were playing New Zealand, Shami had dismissed Martin Guptill to pick up his career’s 100th wicket. Shami achieved this feat in his 56th match.
Prior to him, it was Irfan Pathan who held the record. He had picked up 100 wickets in 59 matches.
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