ICC CWC 2019: Indian team management criticised for excluding Mohammed Shami
New Delhi: The Indian team management was on Tuesday criticised on social media after they did not include right-arm pacer Mohammed Shami in the playing XI for the World Cup semi-final clash against New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Shami, who has picked up 14 wickets in the four matches that he has played so far, was not included in the playing XI. Instead, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was included in the side in place of Kuldeep Yadav. Shami also did not play in India’s last league game against Sri Lanka on July 6.
“Okay with Chahal over Kuldeep. Not so much for Shami’s exclusion. Only five bowlers is a possible concern but from that perspective, bowling first isn’t that bad a thing. India bats deep with this combination,” said cricketer-turned-commentator Akash Chopra after former India skipper Sourav Ganguly questioned Kohli’s move.
“Like Sourav Ganguly, I admit I am surprised by the dropping of Shami. He takes wickets upfront and if you do, the death overs aren’t as critical. India batting very deep with Jadeja at 8 but it is a big call to leave out Kuldeep against a team he has done well,” tweeted celebrated commentator Harsha Bhogle.
“India’s XI is slightly conservative. Picking Bhuvi & Jadeja ahead of Kuldeep & Shami they’ve arguably picked the better all-round players at the expense of the better bowlers, but on a fresh pitch which has been high-scoring in this comp that batting depth could be precious,” wrote one of the Twitter users.
“There are about 20 people sitting around me right now, nobody has a clue why Bhuvi is playing ahead of Shami. And they all know the game,” tweeted another user.
“Really surprised that Shami isn’t in the squad for this crucial game,” said another user on the microblogging website.
“Is Shami injured or have we wilfully not picked the guy with 14 wickets in 4 games & the best strike rate in the entire tournament?”
Okay with Chahal over Kuldeep. Not so much for Shami’s exclusion. Only five bowlers is a possible concern but from that perspective, bowling first isn’t that bad a thing. India bats deep with this combination. #CWC19 #IndvNZ
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 9, 2019
Like @SGanguly99, I admit I am surprised by the dropping of Shami. He takes wickets upfront and if you do, the death overs aren't as critical. India batting very deep with Jadeja at 8 but it is a big call to leave out Kuldeep against a team he has done well.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 9, 2019
Arre Bhai, Shami kidhar hai?? ? https://t.co/TG8ZzqKHLZ
— arjun chugh (@arjun_chugh) July 9, 2019
Mohammad Shami at #CWC19: 14 wickets in 4 matches, SR of 15
— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) July 9, 2019
Bhuvneshwar Kumar at #CWC19: 7 wickets in 5 matches, SR of 35.7
Has #TeamIndia made the right choice with its selection? #INDvNZ
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
