Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra hailed Mohammad Shami’s impressive spell in the semifinal clash of the Champions Trophy against Australia at Dubai on Tuesday. After Steve Smith decided to bat first, Shami got the early wicket of rookie batter Cooper Connolly.
Shami then got the big wicket of a well-settled Steve Smith with a full toss and also dismissed Nathan Ellis in the death overs. The Indian pack leader returned with impressive figures of 3-48 in his quota of 10 overs. Thus, he played an instrumental role in bundling out Australia at 264.
“Mohammad Shami dismissed Cooper Connolly at the start and after that, Steve Smith. We were feeling scared of Steve Smith. He was batting extremely well. Who sent him to the pavilion – Mohammad Shami,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The renowned commentator wants Shami to end his ICC title hoodoo on Sunday.
“He picked up three wickets. Let me tell you one more thing. Shami has not won an ICC trophy to date. Mr ICC without an ICC trophy, should not be. So that might change on March 9,” Chopra added.
On the other hand, Chopra also hailed the performances of spin duo – Ravindra Jadeja and Varun Chakravarthy. Varun got the big wicket of Travis Head and also dismissed Ben Dwarshius. Jadeja accounted for Josh Inglis and Marnus Labuschagne in his spell.
“The spin pair was different this time – Jadeja and Varun Chakaravarthy. Travis Head got chances at the start, but who dismissed him – Varun Chakaravarthy. He didn’t do just that one job, he also came later to pick up a wicket. He is just absolutely brilliant. Who took two wickets one after the other – Ravindra Jadeja,” he said.
“So we are regularly getting different, different heroes in this team, and that is the beauty of this. Kuldeep Yadav hasn’t really done that well, but no issues. Varun came here. He picked up a five-wicket haul in the last match and took two wickets here as well. Ravindra Jadeja was looking maybe, maybe not types, so take this. He got Josh Inglis and a set Marnus Labuschagne out. He picked up important wickets,” Chopra elaborated.
Jadeja returned with figures of 2-40 in his eight overs whereas Varun registered figures of 2-49 in his 10 overs.
India will take on New Zealand in the summit clash of the Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Sunday.
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