Shami returns

It is finally announced that Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has replaced injured Jasprit Bumrah in India’s T20 World Cup squad. He has landed in Australia and will join Team India soon. It is wonderful to see Shami back into the team. Shami is one of the best fast bowlers India has at the moment and I am sure he will show his worth during the tournament (“Shami replaces Bumrah in India’s T20 World Cup squad,” Oct.14, 2022, Gulf Today online edition.)

Shami should have been the first choice, but I don’t know why selectors have ignored him. A senior player like Shami should not have been treated like this. This will dampen his confidence. His record in Australia is amazing. The kind of pace he generates is superb and can put the opposition in trouble.

I am sure like always Shami will surprise us with his performances. I feel he will turn into a star bowler in the tournament. He loves to take up challenges. He has exhibited his resiliency in the past also. We all remember he had gone through challenging times a few years back, and we assumed Shami won’t be able to return in the team, but he returned stronger and fitter. He had become a go-to-bowler for Team India since then. Even in the last year IPL, his performance was great and he took his new team Gujarat Titans to victory.

Rajeev Ranjan,
By email