In the lead-up to the two-match Test series between South Africa and India (IND vs SA), Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma expressed deep respect for India’s cricketing talent pool. Bavuma acknowledged that even the bowler stepping in for the injured Mohammed Shami could put the South African batters under pressure.
Mohammed Shami, a key component of India’s pace attack, has been ruled out due to a heel injury, paving the way for either Prasidh Krishna or the relatively inexperienced Mukesh Kumar to fill the void.
Responding to a question during a media conference, Bavuma stated, “As cricketers, you want to come up against the best, and Mohammed Shami is one of the best going around. Most of us would be looking forward to coming up against him. But India being India, and with the depth that they have, you have to trust that whoever comes in will also put you under pressure.”
Despite Shami’s absence, Bavuma praised India’s strong bowling attack, emphasizing the team’s ability to achieve success over the past decade. The Proteas skipper is optimistic about adapting to home conditions, especially with rain threatening to affect Day 1.
Acknowledging the challenges of playing against India, Bavuma expressed the team’s focus on maintaining their unbeaten record on home soil for 31 years.
As the IND vs SA Test series unfolds, cricket enthusiasts are eager to witness how the evolving South African team navigates the challenges posed by India in the Test arena.
Mohammed Shami: Heartbeat of Team India
India’s cricketing stalwart, Mohammed Shami, is poised to be honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award. Alongside fellow awardees, Shami will be presented with this distinguished accolade by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 9, 2024.
Mohammed Shami, a veteran in the cricketing realm, emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the ODI World Cup 2023, showcasing his prowess by claiming an impressive 24 wickets in seven matches.
The Arjuna Award stands as India’s second-highest sporting honor, recognizing outstanding contributions to sports and games. Shami’s stellar performances played a pivotal role in India’s bowling dominance throughout the recently concluded World Cup.
Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Shami demonstrated exceptional skills in the ODI format, amassing 43 wickets in a mere 19 innings this year. His consistency extends to the red-ball format, contributing significantly to India’s ascent as the No.1 team in the ICC rankings across all three formats in 2023.
