Mohammed Shami demolishes critics for questioning Jasprit Bumrah’s credentials

Mohammed Shami, the Indian fast bowler, has hit out at critics, who has been critical of Jasprit Bumrah of late. Bumrah made his comeback earlier this year after recovering from his back strain. But he has been a tad off his mark. In the recently concluded ODI series, which India lost 3-0 at the hands of New Zealand, Bumrah went wicketless, conceding 167 runs.

He also slipped one place down to No.2 in the ICC’s rankings for ODI bowlers. Shami feels that the criticisms surrounding the 26-year-old are premature. The Bengal pacer said that not doing well in a handful of games doesn’t undermine Bumrah’s match-winning potential.

“I can understand we are discussing on a topic (after a certain length of time) not just after 2-4 games. Just because he hasn’t performed in two games, you can’t just ignore his ability to win matches,” Shami was quoted as saying after stumps on the second day of India’s warm up match against New Zealand XI at the Seddon Park in Hamilton.

Look at the positives, says Shami

He also urged people for spreading positivity and keep in mind Bumrah’s achievement, donning the national colours “What Bumrah has achieved for India, how can you even forget that or for that matter ignore it? So, if you think positively, then it’s good for the player and his confidence also,” Shami mentioned.

Shami also understands the travails of being sidelined due to frequent injury. Back in 2015, he developed a knee injury and then slowly made his way back into the scheme of things.

“As a sportsman, it’s very different. From outside, it is very easy to nit-pick as some have a job to comment and earn money. Every sportsman can get injured and one should try and look at the positives rather than harp on negatives. I also got injured in 2015 (knee surgery) but then bounced back,” he added.

Shami has had a reasonable tour of New Zealand thus far. He bowled the final over in the T20I at the Seddon Park in Hamilton. In the last over of the game, he cleaned up a well-set Ross Taylor and took the match into the Super Over where Rohit Sharma’s brilliance took India over the line.