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Following a long lay-off from Team India due to injury, veteran speedster Mohammed Shami has made a brilliant comeback to international cricket. The star pacer became the fastest Indian bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets during the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Thursday.
Returning to international cricket after a long time, Shami grabbed five wickets to reach the milestone in his 104th match and better former India pacer Ajit Agarkar’s record of reaching the mark in 133 matches. Jaker Ali, who made 68, was his 200th wicket.
Second quickest
Overall, the 34-year-old fast bowler is the second quickest to 200 ODI wickets, behind Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc, who needed 102 games.
One of India’s finest seamers, Shami averages less than 25 in the ODI format and has already taken six fifers and 10 four-wicket hauls.
Shami is the eighth Indian to complete 200 wickets in ODI cricket. In absence of premier speedster Jasprit Bumrah, the onus will be on Shami to deliver as he is the most experienced pacer in the team.
Speculation is rife among the fans and experts that veteran cricketers like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will announce their retirement after the completion of the Champions Trophy.
Notably, India is playing their first match of the mega event against Bangladesh today. India will play all their matches in Dubai due to the strained political relationship with neighbouring Pakistan. ICC was forced to prepare a hybrid model after India didn’t agree to play in Pakistan.
(With inputs from PTI)
