- Dec 2, 2024
- Feb 28, 2023
The Indian cricket team and its fans had a lot to cheer during the ODI World Cup 2023 game on Sunday. Mohammed Shami made his much-awaited return to the Indian team against New Zealand in Dharamshala.
The 33-year-old bowled a memorable spell to pick his third ODI fifer and end the day with figures of 5/54. After missing the first four games of the tournament, the Indian team management took the much-needed call. Struggling Shardul Thakur was replaced by Mohammed Shami.
New Zealand were asked to bat first after Rohit Sharma had won the toss. It was a key game for both the teams who were in the top two places of the points table. Like the Kiwis, even the Indian team were enjoying an unbeaten start to the ODI World Cup 2023 campaign.
After just picking 2 wickets for 103 runs in the three games for India, Shardul Thakur was benched on Sunday. Mohammed Shami was given a call-up to make his return to the Indian XI. The last time the 33-year-old was during the ODI series at home to Australia just a few weeks ago.
Mohammed Shami began by taking the wicket of Will Young for 17 when the Kiwi opener edged one back onto his stumps. The next wicket arrived for India and Mohammed Shami nearly 25 overs later.
Young Kiwi sensation Rachin Ravindra mistimed the ball as he offered the easiest of catches to Shubman Gill. The left-handed Kiwi was out after scoring 75 runs which came in 87 balls.
#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/qPkq70U2A3
— nadeem 05 (@hotvideos097) October 22, 2023
With the Kiwis looking to press the accelerator the focus was on the Indian bowlers. Mitchell Santner saw his off-stump take a walk when he was bowled by Shami for 1. The very next ball, Matt Henry saw his leg stump get uprooted for a first-ball duck.
Mohammed Shami missed his hat-trick but he wasn’t denied his third fifer in ODI Cricket. Daryl Mitchell was caught by a charged-up Virat Kohli to give Shami a memorable return to the Indian team. Mitchell was the top scorer for the New Zealand team with 130 as they were bowled out for 273 in the 50th over.
Here’s how the fans reacted –
FIVE WICKET HAUL FOR SHAMI….!!!
Playing his first match in World Cup 2023 and he has returned like a bang – What a bowler, one of the best in the business. pic.twitter.com/uVaLykBUNN
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 22, 2023
https://twitter.com/mr_akhtar_17/status/1716069529263181826
https://twitter.com/trollpakistanii/status/1716070201836572769
What a bowler 🔥👏
— Samriddhi Singh♥️ (@Samridd90774225) October 22, 2023
This spell of Mohammad Shami will be remembered for long. He gave his best. What a fantastic bowler he is. Performed like a champion. 🇮🇳
— Baatein (@TeriMeriBaatein) October 22, 2023
Exactly 💯 Stellar performance by #Shami. He has a wicket taking capability and has done it multiple times for India.
— Anupama Singh (@anupamaasingh) October 22, 2023
Shami is on fire 🔥
— Statistics of Bharat 🇮🇳 (@Stats4Bharat) October 22, 2023
Is he the best wicket taker bowler in Indian team?
— Salaar Sikandar (@BaloochMudasir) October 22, 2023