Mohammad Shami became fifth Indian pace bowler to take 200 Test wickets.
Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra lauded Indian pacer Mohammad Shami’s five-wicket haul against South Africa in the first innings of the Centurion Test, saying that his wrist position is the best in the world.
After Team India posted a first-innings total of 327 runs on the board against South Africa in the first Test, Mohammad Shami made sure that his side remains on the top of the game.
The right-arm pacer led the way for the Virat Kohli-led side with a five-wicket haul that helped visitors to bundle out hosts for just 197 runs in the first innings and take a lead of 130 runs.
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Mohammad Shami took his sixth fifer and also became the fifth Indian fast bowler to take 200 Test wickets. His heroics were lauded by many fans and pundits across the globe including Aakash Chopra.
The former Indian cricketer hailed Mohammad Shami’s wrist position as best in the world.
"Mohammad Shami's wrist position isn't the best in the world? I think it is. I have seen many players. About wrist position, what I am trying to say is, that means that the seam won't wobble. I mean, what a bowler!" Aakash Chopra said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
Chopra pointed to the comments about South African pacers being underprepared for the series, saying even Mohammad Shami hasn't played in weeks. He lauded the Indian pacer for bowling strict lines and lengths and constantly testing the batters.
"About South Africa's bowlers, we are talking that they are a little bit cold as they haven't played cricket for quite some time and weren't getting line or length. Even Shami hasn't played since the T20 World Cup. The last Test match against England, he played.
“Whenever he bowls, he delivers at the kind of spot where batters think should they play it or leave it. He asks so many questions from them that he ends up taking a lot of wickets,” he said.
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Aakash Chopra further compared Mohammad Shami to James Anderson and Dale Steyn, saying that even the wrist position of two legendary pacers was bad at one point but Shami’s wrist position has never been bad.
“His wrist sends such amazing deliveries. We have seen everyone's wrist getting bad at one point or other. Even the great Dale Steyn and even Jimmy Anderson. But for Shami, I have never seen his wrist go bad. His backspin is very beautiful. Mohammed Shami is one of the finest at this point of time,” he said.
Coming to the match, the visitors set hosts the target of 305 runs to chase. Mohammad Shami drew the first blood for his side in the second innings, removing Aiden Markram for 1 run.