Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has questioned the selectors for not picking Mohammed Shami for the three-match ODI series against South Africa, despite pacers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj being rested.
India played with the pace trio of Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna in the opening game of the series at Ranchi.
Shami has scalped 20 wickets in the ongoing Ranji Trophy in four matches for Bengal at an impressive average of 18.60. The Bengal pacer has been consistently ignored by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection despite proving his match fitness in the domestic circuit.
“The question is valid. No matter what kind of pitch it is, a bowler like Shami does not care if it is flat. He has so much class that he finds ways to pick wickets there as well. I don’t know why he is not playing still, because Bumrah and Siraj have been rested. The young pacers would also benefit from his presence. There is no senior pacer to tell the likes of Prasidh, Harshit, and Arshdeep what to do under pressure. India missed this,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
Meanwhile, Harshit Rana was able to provide quick breakthroughs at the start of the innings, removing Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock. The Delhi pacer returned with figures of 3-65, whereas Arshdeep Singh also bagged a pair of wickets. Kaif noted that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were seen helping the inexperienced Indian pace battery.
“Harshit Rana bowled on good lengths. He was bowling short, but here he kept his lengths ahead. He made solid use of the new ball. Rohit and Virat were also giving him advice on the field. This is what I am saying, youngsters will do well under seniors, and this has always been the case with Indian cricket. How many times we saw Virat going and talking to Arshdeep and Prasidh. Rohit was giving inputs too. They want India to win even if they are not leading. They don’t care about credit. They spoke a lot to the bowlers, and the results were evident,” Mohammad Kaif stated.
The second ODI between India and South Africa will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur on Wednesday.
