Never seen such slow and low bounce pitch overseas: Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami was instrumental for India on the 4th day’s first session when he sent 3 South Africa batsmen back to the pavilion including the dangerous AB de Villiers. In the session after Lunch, India failed to capitalize as skipper Faf du Plessis along with Vernon Philander frustrated the bowlers with their stubborn partnership.

They were eventually rolled out for 258 in their second innings and set India a target of 287 to win. 3 early strikes by South African bowlers have pegged India back in the run chase and they will have their task cut out if they wish to stay in the game as well as the series.

Shami who picked 4 wickets in the 2nd innings of South Africa said that he was surprised the way the ball was keeping low. “I did not expect the ball would stay so low in this wicket,” said Shami during the press conference after the end of 4th day’s play.

Don’t know what they prepared such wicket: Shami

Speaking about the uneven bounce of the wicket, Shami said, “Till now in overseas conditions, we have not seen such slow and low bounce wickets. So I don’t know what they were thinking when they made this wicket.” He said that the wicket has been low from the day 1. He said that they needed a lot of extra efforts to bowl the good deliveries. “It went slow and low and you needed a lot of extra effort. We tried to give 110-120 percent. That was more important for us.”

He also said that the pitch and conditions are same for both the sides and they will have to play on it. The pacer was confident that despite losing 3 wickets, including that of skipper Virat Kohli who smashed his 21st Test ton in the first innings, the side will try to win the game on Tuesday.

With the odd deliveries keeping low, things are not going to be easy for the Indian batsmen on the 5th day of the Test against the South African pace battery. Shami was optimistic about India’s chances of winning the game and said that they stopped them to a good score and if they get a little push of luck they can chase down the target.

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