Why did Mohammad Shami bowl only the final over in the warm up game against Australia at Gabba? | T20 World Cup 2022

Xtra Time Web Desk: Indian captain Rohit Sharma admitted at the end of the game that it was always the plan to give Shami the final over. The team management wanted to throw a challenge at Shami and he came out with flying colours. Shami single headedly won India the first warm up game against the Aussies at Gabba on Monday. The home side were cruising towards victory with the score 176/6. Indian captain surprised everyone by bringing Shami to bowl the final over and the fast bowler from Amroha delivered. He gave away 2 runs each in the first two balls but picked three wickets of the next four deliveries to give India a perfect win by 6 runs. He got the wickets of Pat Cummins, Josh Inglish and Kane Richardson.

Initially it looked to be a surprising move as the Indian team management decided not to keep Mohammad Shami in the playing XI for the first warm up game in T20 World Cup 2022 against Australia.

Shami bowled in full rhythm at the nets on Sunday. It was his first training session with the Indian team at the Gabba since recovering from Covid-19. Shami replaced Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian team for the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022 which got underway with the Qualifiers on Sunday.

Even legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar in the live commentary doubted if Shami will be game ready against Pakistan on October 23.

The big question is will Mohammad Shami be fit to play the role left vacant by Jasprit Bumrah? The fast bowler has the experience and pedigree, but is he really fit? Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid will now have just one game to assess.

The Indian bowling as was evident in the warm up game against Australia lacked genuine pace of 140+. With Shami regaining his full fitness and rhythm, India will feel confident ahead of the marquee clash against Pakistan at MCG on October 23.