Until the match against New Zealand in the ongoing World Cup, Mohammed Shami was not a regular in the playing XI, as India picked either Shardul Thakur or Ravichandran Ashwin, depending on the surface. However, an unlikely injury to Hardik Pandya has given Shami a lifeline. The GT pacer played in place of Thakur against New Zealand on a helpful Dharamshala surface and managed to pick up his second World Cup five-wicket haul. With Pandya set to be sidelined for two more WC games, Shami is set to feature in the playing XI.
Thakur has failed to provide the spark in the bowling. While Shami may not be as effective in the bat as Thakur, the management is still ready to play Shami as they feel he is a better wicket-taking option.
According to the Times of India report, Shami is also likely to be the lead bowler in the remaining games in WC until Pandya returns. For now, India are set to bolster the bowling attack in Pandya’s absence. Shami can be effective in all stages of the game and can attack always.
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India will next be seen playing against England on Sunday at Ekana Stadium. The pitch in Lucknow will aid spinners more, and the management are also contemplating playing Ashwin as the third spinner.
Mohammed Shami set to retain his place against England, call on Ashwin to be taken after a practice session
India have assembled today in Lucknow and will be having a training session today and tomorrow. With Shami cementing his place in the playing XI, all eyes will be on Ashwin in the training session. The off-spinner has so far played only one game in the World Cup against Australia in Chennai.
The Lucknow pitch will be pretty similar to the Chennai surface, and India has the option to play Ashwin as the third spinner in place of Suryakumar Yadav.
