‘Wow, he is good’- Ishant Sharma recalls MS Dhoni’s first impression of Mohammed Shami

Since his international debut in 2013, India speedster Mohammed Shami has established himself as one of the finest bowlers in world cricket. Veteran pacer Ishant Sharma recalled former skipper MS Dhoni’s initial impression of Shami during a net session prior to the pacer's debut.

Shami has proven to be a lethal pacer with the new ball and his success can be attributed to his brute pace, accuracy and his ability to move the ball. Ishant recalled the words of an impressed Dhoni who overlooked Shami during one of the net sessions in 2013.

"I had heard of a bowler from West Indies who had a lot of pace, meaning he was very skiddy. His run-up looks normal but he bowled with a lot of pace. So, when we saw him at the net, then Mahi Bhai said, ‘Wow, he is good’," told Ishant while speaking to Cricbuzz, on their 'Rise of New India' show.

Shami is a totally different bowler now: Ishant Sharma

Later that year, Shami made his debut for the national side against the West Indies in a Test match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Notably, the pacer made instant impression as he scalped nine wickets, which included a four-wicket haul and five-wicket haul. Ishant further explained the pacer’s journey despite facing turmoil in personal life and how he has grown as a cricketer. 

“He made his debut in Kolkata. As far as I remember, he picked nine wickets and helped India win. So, after that, we also became very good friends. When he was going through some personal turmoil, whatever had happened to him, I felt he needed a support from someone outside and say to him, 'What happened, happened. If you focus on cricket, may be things will become okay'. May be that is why Shami is a totally different bowler now,” Ishant added.

Shami has claimed 219 wickets in 166 innings in the Test format and has 159 and 24 wickets in the ODI and T20Is respectively for the Indian side.