Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar expressed his disappointment over Mohammad Shami's lack of rhythm with the new ball on Day 1 of the fourth Test against Australia in Ahmedabad.
Asked to bowl first, the hosts were off to a poor start at the Narendra Modi Stadium, conceding quite a few freebies in the first 30 minutes.
Shami, who returned to the XI after being rested in the third Test, was all over the place with his line and length as he gave away 10 runs in the first over of the match.
"Resting Mohammad Shami was not a smart move. You had 8 days break between the 2nd and the 3rd Test. He bowled military medium in his first two deliveries," Gavaskar said on-air for Star Sports.
"That's how it's got to be. The batter is nervous, he is not yet off the mark. If he sees the ball go harmlessly to the keeper, he gets an opportunity to see what the pitch is doing. He can then mentally start to relax just that little bit," he added.
"Great bowlers were at you straightaway, from the first ball. He is just not getting his line right. Look at how far that went. It's going to be called byes because it hasn't gone away from the marker, which indicates wide,” he continued.
According to Gavaskar, a bowler like Shami would love to be in rhythm as it is important for a fast bowler to get his bowling muscles going.
"I think, you know that Mohammad Shami is the kind of bowler who likes to be in rhythm, may be you shouldn't rest him. I think it's important to get your bowling muscles going, in the gym, you don't get your bowling muscles going," he remarked.
Given that the ODI World Cup is due to be played later this year, the Indian team management, in consultation with medical staff, has decided to rotate the fast bowlers, who are set to feature in the IPL 2023 as well.
As a result, Shami, who played the first two Tests against Australia, was rested for the third game. Umesh Yadav played in his place in Indore as the second pacer after Mohammed Siraj, who has been rested as part of the workload management for the fourth and final Test.
