New Delhi: Star speedster Mohammed Shami, so far, has bowled remarkably well in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. Shami, who plays for Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL, rattled Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) batters as they had no answers to his well-placed fiery deliveries. It was Shami's clinical bowling spell (three wickets for 25 runs) that helped Gujarat beat Lucknow to win their debut game in the T20 tournament.
Among fans and experts who hailed Mohammed Shami for his bowling heroics against Lucknow is former team India head coach Ravi Shastri. The veteran has compared the 31-year-old pace bowler to legendary Kapil Dev.
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"He's got very fit and hungry. And, he's got swing in his hands. I used to say, 'Wake Kapil Dev at 2 am and ask him to bowl. He will bowl superb outswing'. Few players including Shami have got that skill. His seam release is brilliant... only Jimmy Anderson comes close. Irrespective of the format, Shami's seam presentation helps him get movement. Mumbai tracks have got a bit of moisture at the start and Shami can get a couple of wickets in the opening spell," Shastri told ESPNCricinfo.
Shastri also opined on Shubman Gill's batting form and his return from injury.
"I'm a big fan of him (Shubman). He's got every shot and a great attitude. He has to focus on shot selection and spend time in the middle. Even if he scores two in the first six balls, he can make up for it in the next six balls. He's got the talent. He should be calm instead of over-trying. Gill has had many injuries but he is looking confident now. He picked that brilliant catch against Lucknow and his attempt shows that he's forgotten about the injury," Shastri elaborated.