IPL 2018: 5 pacers who can replace Mohammed Shami in Delhi Daredevils
Team India fast-bowler Mohammed Shami’s cricket career is at crossroads after the BCCI withheld his name from the list of central contracts due to some serious personal allegations made by his wife, Hasin Jahan.
Jahan registered an FIR on Friday against Shami and four other members of his family. Claims of adultery, torture and threats of being killed were made against the pacer. His wife of four years had earlier taken to Facebook to post screenshots of alleged conversations between Shami and multiple women.
The Delhi Daredevils bowler has been booked under sections 498A (Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty), 323 (Causing hurt), 307 (Attempt to murder), 376 (Punishment for rape), 506 (Criminal intimidation), 328 (Causing hurt by means of poison, etc., with intent to commit an offence.), 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of IPC.
Although the charges against Shami have not been proved as yet, it is safe to assume that he, in all likeliness, may not play the IPL this year because of the long process the police will undergo. In his absence, here are 5 other Indian bowlers who can take up the pace responsibility in the Gautam Gambhir led side.
#1 Rajneesh Gurbani
The primary influence behind Vidarbha's success in the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy was fast bowler Rajneesh Gurbani who finished the season as the second-highest wicket-taker with 39 wickets. The 24-year-old claimed a hat-trick in the first innings of the final against Delhi and his eventual figures of 6 for 59 restricted Delhi to 295.
Besides, he took 6 for 113 against Himachal Pradesh, 5 for 38 against Kerala in the quarter-final and 5 for 94 and 7 for 68 against Karnataka in the semi-final. Gurbani, an engineer by education, was auctioned for Rs. 20 lakhs but had no takers. Shami’s absence can become an opportunity for the youngster to enter the world of IPL.