The unsatisfactory performance of Team India at the Asia Cup 2022 led former Indian opener Virender Sehwag to suggest that the team may have benefited from the services of seasoned bowler Mohammad Shami.
Former cricketers such as Sehwag are perplexed by the fact that Shami hasn’t played an international match in the shortest format since the T20 World Cup in 2022.
Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are the only three fast bowling specialists that Team India has chosen to include in their Asia Cup roster. On the other hand, Sehwag was of the opinion that the team management should have supported Shami in light of the fact that both Harshal Patel and Jasprit Bumrah were injured.
After India’s victory over Afghanistan, Sehwag gave an interview to Cricbuzz in which he discussed the reasons why Shami would be more than useful in Australia, which is hosting the Twenty20 World Cup this year.
Mohammad Shami said, "I've faced what Arshdeep Singh is facing and it doesn’t affect me because my country stands up for me. I'll only say to Arshdeep, don’t let this hamper you because your talent is immense". (To Times Now).
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 5, 2022
What did Virender Sehwag say?
He said: “It’s the incorrect way to think about it (about Shami not being in T20I plans). Even [Ravichandran] Ashwin was not on your radar two years ago when you were making your preparations. However, given Shami’s previous participation in the Asia Cup, he would have been an excellent choice to replace any of your injured bowlers.”
Sehwag went on to add: “Shami would have played in Avesh’s place if he hadn’t been available. I can see that you want to provide opportunities for younger people, but please remember that experience is still required in Australia. On those quick pitches, Shami is going to come in handy.”
Mohammad Shami said, "if the trolls have guts, then they should come from their real account". (To Times Now).
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 5, 2022
Ajay Jadeja, a former player for India on the cricket field, was present on the Cricbuzz panel. He was of the opinion that debating Mohammad Shami was a waste of time since neither the captain, Rohit Sharma, nor the coach, Rahul Dravid, seemed to include him in their game plans.
