‘It’s a special feeling’ – Mohammed Shami lauds his father after picking up a fifer in the Centurion Test

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has lauded his father after he picked up a five-wicket on the third Day of the opening Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. The speedster finished with figures of 16-5-44-5 and made sure that the visitors bowled South Africa out for 197 in their first innings.

After playing a major role in securing India a significant 130-run first innings lead, the seamer credited his father for shaping his career. The 31-year-old talked about the hard yards he has had to put in to taste success at the international level.

Mohammed Shami showing gratitude

“My father deserves a lot of credit for who I am right now and I am right now. Because I am from an area where it doesn’t have many facilities, it’s a special feeling to get a 5-wicket haul and lots of hard work required,” Shami was quoted as saying.

Mohammed Shami (in Press) said "My father deserves a lot of credit for who I am right now, I am from an area where it doesn't have many facilities – it's a special feeling to get a five-wicket haul, lots of hard work required".

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 28, 2021

After Jasprit Bumrah got rid of Proteas skipper Dean Elgar in the very first over of South Africa’s innings. Shami came to the party. The latter accounted for the wickets of Aiden Markram and Keegan Petersen in pretty quick succession and reduced the hosts to 30 for three in only the 12th over.

Thereafter, he pinned Wiaan Mulder to push the home team further back on the backfoot. In the 47th over, Shami picked up the prized wicket of Temba Bavuma, who made a gutsy 103-ball 52 with the help of 10 fours. Shami then came back to dismiss Kagiso Rabada and picked up the five-wicket haul.

He got the apt supports from Bumrah and Shardul Thakur, who both picked two wickets apiece. Ravi Ashwin rolled his arms over for 13 overs, but couldn’t make a breakthrough. A number of South African batters got into double digits, but none could go on and get a big score under their belt.

At the close of play on Day three, India are leading by 146 runs with nine wickets left in their second innings. KL Rahul and night-watchman Shardul Thakur were the overnight batters after Marco Jansen got the wicket of Mayank Agarwal, who made a half-century in the first innings.