'If his rhythm is right, he will not be an easy bowler to play' - Sunil Gavaskar backs Mohammed Shami to come good in Australia

The former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar warned the Australian batting line-up to be aware of the one of the most successful bowlers of 2019, Mohammed Shami. Gavaskar gave a fitting reply to Australian batsman, Steve Smith, who had challenged the Indian pace attack to bring on the short bowling against him.

The two superpowers in cricket fraternity, India and Australia are all set to lock horns against each other in a three-match ODI and T20I series followed by a four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy, starting from November 27 in Sydney. Ahead of the highly-anticipated tour, Smith had reckoned that team India will find it difficult to get his wicket as he is prepared for the tour and it would be difficult for them to constantly bowl the short balls.

Earlier this year, Smith looked uncomfortable against short-bowling by New Zealand‘s Neil Wagner and was dismissed four times by the left-arm pacer. “It’s no drama for me. I just play the game and sum up the conditions, how they’re trying to get me out and being able to counter that. I mean, a few different oppositions have tried it and they’ve certainly found it more difficult to [execute it] the way Wagner did.

He’s got an amazing skill set where his speeds go up and down…everything is between your ribs and your head. If teams are trying to get me out like that it’s probably a big benefit for the team because it takes a lot out of people’s bodies if you continually bowl short. I’ve faced a lot of short bowling in my life and I haven’t had too many stresses with it. I suppose we’ll just wait and see,” Smith had said.

No one is ever ready for the short ball, says Sunil Gavaskar

Replying to the former Australian captain, Sunil Gavaskar stated that no batsman can ever be ready for a good short ball. The veteran also warned the Australian side to be aware of Mohammed Shami as if he finds his rhythm, then it would be difficult for the batsmen to survive against him.

“No one is ever ready for the short ball! A good short ball will trouble the best of batsmen. Nobody can say ‘I’m ready’. Mohammed Shami in particular has a fabulous bouncer. If he gets it right on target, then you can be pretty certain that not too many batsmen will be able to negotiate him,” Gavaskar told Sportstar.

“He is not very tall and his short ball will come skidding at you around your shoulder and head, and that’s the most difficult delivery to play. If his rhythm is right, he will not be an easy bowler to play,” Gavaskar added.