Follow UsIndia will be without the services of Jasprit Bumrah, a major loss ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. But CSK legend Laxmipathy Balaji, in the most controversial fashion, insisted that Mohammed Shami had outbowled the Indian pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
The former Indian pacer also reckoned that it was Shami who was heavy lifting the Indian side before Bumrah’s introduction.
"Actually, he [Shami] had out-bowled Bumrah in the 2019 (50-over World Cup) and in the last World Cup (2023). Bumrah is the champion bowler across formats. But Shami has experience and, before Bumrah's arrival, it was Shami who carried India's attack all through," Balaji, now a reputed pace bowling coach, told PTI.
Not just that, Balaji also underlined Shami’s influence in the powerplay, where he’s been a crucial cog for the Men in Blue. Shami has picked up 28 ODI wickets in the first 10-over phase since 2019, where he averages 30.6.
"I think it's very important. If India has to do well, then Shami has to come good with the new ball. The kind of impact he can make in his first six overs with the new ball will play a crucial role for India. The old ball is anyway... it is a defensive game now. If he can make early inroads regularly, that will give a huge booster to India," he added.
Balaji also credited Shami’s wrist position, stating that it allows him to deliver all the variations, which will be effective on pitches in Dubai, where India will be playing all their Champions Trophy 2025 games.
"Shami has one of the best wrist positions in the game, helping him bring all of his variations. See, conditions in Dubai will more or less be similar to India, so he just needs to follow his methods there," he added.
"What Shami does is hit the seam and move the ball off the deck. It is dangerous as batsmen will not be able to guess easily which way the ball is going to move. It also brings into the equation the LBWs and clean bowled dismissals. The away movement ensures that the slip cordon too will be in the mix," said Balaji.
India open their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 (Thursday) with an eye on the title.