• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Shami Should Play Over Shardul Thakur Says Chawla Ahead Of World Cup 2023

 'Shami Should Play Over Shardul Thakur..,’ Says Chawla Ahead Of World Cup 2023

image-lmw7r902Jasprit Bumrah congratulates Mohammed Shami (BCCI)

Former Indian spinner Piyush Chawla has backed the inclusion of Mohammed Shami into team’s World Cup 2023 playing XI at the expense of an all-rounder, Shardul Thakur. Off late, Shami has been only preferred in the XI as a replacement of either Jasprit Bumrah or Mohammed Siraj.

While Siraj was rested from India’s starting line-up in their Mohali ODI against Australia, Shami got the new-ball swinging and old-ball bouncing as he ended up striking five times off his 10 overs. The speed veteran eventually finished with 5-51 at the high-scoring venue to register his career-best ODI figures, and was fittingly adjudged as ‘Player of the Match’ for his efforts.

Shardul Thakur, on the other hand, leaked 78 runs from his 10 overs and went wicketless throughout the Australian innings.

Watch: Highlights from Mohammed Shami’s five-fer

Chawla believes Shami ideal for India at 2023 World Cup

Piyush Chawla, one of the members of India’s victorious 2011 World Cup run, believes the current team management should prefer Mohammed Shami over all-rounder Shardul Thakur in the playing XI for the upcoming 2023 carnival.

While speaking at ESPNCricinfo, Chawla admitted that even though Thakur is an ideal all-round choice at the moment, the team should rather focus on a specialist pacer who can bowl quick at any stage of the innings. The former Indian spinner said:

“I agree Shardul Thakur has picked up wickets and he has got quite a few of them. But his economy rate is always on the higher side. In India, most of the wicket is going to be a bit flat. So you need somebody who’s like a proper bowler, who can come in one change and still bowl at the 135-140 mark.”

Chawla further praised Mohammed Shami for his ODI track record and his ability to generate pace regardless of the conditions. In just 92 innings for Team India, the 33-year-old has already bagged 11 four-wicket hauls, including two five-fers to soar to 170 wickets in the format.

According to Chawla, Shami’s upright seam position will be a useful asset for the side at the upcoming 2023 World Cup at home.

“He is somebody who bowls with an upright seam and you need this kind of seam position when you bowl on these kinds of tracks.”

Shami and Thakur are currently engaged in an ongoing three-match ODI tussle against Australia at home. The series will conclude World Cup preparations for both sides, as they are slated to face each other once again on October 8 to launch their respective tournament campaigns.