India vs West Indies 2013: Md. Shami reminded Sourav Ganguly of Waqar Younis

Md. Shami

Md. Shami is the toast of the nation right now. After destroying West Indies with his lethal reverse swing, this young pacer from Kolkata is drawing enormous praise from all quarters of the cricket world.

However, the local hero, Sourav Ganguly perhaps paid him the best compliment when he said that Shami’s display of reverse swing reminded him of the Pakistani great, Waqar Younis.

“I have seen the best of Waqar Younis, and this reverse swing bowling from Shami is as good as anyone that I’ve seen,” Ganguly said while on air during the game.

Another hero of the Eden Gardens, VVS Laxman too was very impressed with the Bengal pacer and said, “Shami hardly looked like someone who is inexperienced and is playing his first Test match. Very pleased with the way he bowled.”

Former Indian opener and captain Sunil Gavaskar also was glad to see an Indian bowler rip through an opposition and was highly impressed with his skills.

“On an unresponsive pitch, the way Shami managed to get the out-swing going and the way he read the batsmen was a huge plus. He assessed a batsman’s weakness and what the pitch had to offer and conquered all,” – Gavaskar said in an interview.

The 23-year-old seam bowler, who made his debut against West Indies on his home ground, grabbed a record 9 wickets in the match to become the most successful Indian pacer on Test debut. Incidentally, Narendra Hirwani’s 16 for 136 against the West Indies in Chennai in 1988 still remains the best bowling by any Indian debutant.