ICC World Cup 2019: Ashish Nehra picks India's 'big asset' for the tournament
What's the story?
Former pacer Ashish Nehra has identified fast bowler Mohammed Shami as a 'big asset' for India during their campaign in ICC World Cup 2019.
Impressed with the right-arm seamer's fitness and ability to deliver sustained spells of pressure, the 39-year-old pointed to Shami's potency on even flat pitches whilst looking ahead to the mega event in England & Wales.
"Mohammed Shami has been really impressive, not just in this series and today's (first ODI against Australia) game but for the last year and year-and-half. Since South Africa tour, I would say. Test cricket, he bowled really well. Bowled long spells. His fitness has been really really impressive", Nehra was quoted as saying by CricketNext.
The background
Since the 2015 World Cup semifinal against Australia, Shami's fortunes in the 50-over format took a downslide. He was dropped from the 50-over format. However, the seasoned seamer returned to coloured clothing after two years during an ODI series in the Caribbean.
After spending another year-long sabbatical from ODI cricket, Shami made a comeback during the home series against West Indies in 2018.
The heart of the matter
Since his return to the ODI lineup, Shami has been quite impressive. He picked five wickets in the last two ODIs against Australia and helped India win a historic away series. In New Zealand, he was named Player of the Series for scalping nine wickets at an average of 15.33.
During the first ODI against Australia in Hyderabad, Shami removed Glenn Maxwell and Ashton Turner to help India restrict the visitors to a low total. In the aftermath of the series opener, Nehra reckoned that the 28-year-old will be a key player for the Men in Blue during the 2019 World Cup.
Nehra affirmed, "We all knew how much talent he had. He is a rhythm bowler. It's a really plus thing for India, with Mohammed Shami bowling like this. I hope he stays fit, has a good IPL. He is a wicket-to-wicket bowler. His ball does something even on a flat wicket. He is going to be a big asset for India (in the World Cup)."
What's next?
Shami will hope to continue his stellar form when India meet Australia for the second ODI at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur on Tuesday.