Indian pacer Mohammad Shami feels that the visitors would need a lead of 350-400 runs before declaring their second innings in the first Test against South Africa in Centurion, to put themselves in a commanding position.
Batting first after winning the toss, the Virat Kohli-led side on account of KL Rahul’s sensational 123 runs and vital contributions from Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane posted a first-innings total of 327 runs on the board.
Mohammad Shami then led the charge with a five-wicket haul and helped India wrap up South Africa for just 197 runs, taking a first-innings lead of 130 runs.
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Even though India then lost Mayank Agarwal during the fag end of the third day in their second innings, they have put themselves in a comfortable position and have a lead of 146 runs.
While addressing the press conference at the end of Day 3 of the first Test between South Africa and India in Centurion, Mohammad Shami feels that visitors should score around 250 runs in their second innings to set a target of about 400 runs. He added that then only they can allow the hosts to bat four sessions and try to win the match.
“Two days are left in the Test match, I feel we should be batting the maximum amount of time tomorrow. If we score around 250 runs and set a target of about 400 runs for South Africa we can then allow South Africa to bat for four sessions. But for that we need atleast 350 or 400 odd runs,” Mohammad Shami said.
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Mohammad Shami further credited his father for his success, saying that being a village boy he didn’t have facilities but his father used to send him 30 kms far from his village to play cricket.
"No player ever imagine what he can do in the future. Your motive or dream is to play for India, hard work is your hand and if you work hard you get the desired results. For my success, I want to give credit to my father.
“I am from a village where there are no facilities and my father used to send me to play cricket 30kms far from our village. My father and brother had backed and I am here only because of them," he said.
With a five-wicket haul in the first innings, Mohammad Shami also completed his 200 Test wicket. It remains to be seen if the visitors can post a target of aroud 400 runs on the board or not.
(ANI inputs)
