Mohammed Shami is easily the world’s most underrated pacer: Mohammad kaif

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif lavished praise on star pacer Mohammed Shami following his exceptional bowling efforts in the opening ODI of the three-match series against Australia in Mohali. India started the three-match ODI on a high note,winning the game by five wickets to take a 1-0 lead.

Opting to bowl first, India bundled out Pat Cummins and Co. by 276 runs in 50 overs. Shami was the standout bowler of the hosts, picking up five crucial wickets and conceding 51 runs in his ten-over spell. 

Kaif took to X and hailed Shami, stating he is the world's most underrated pacer but he is a World Cup hero for him. “Mohammed Shami is easily the world’s most underrated pacer. To me he is a world Cup hero. Bhai ko halke mein mat lena. Congrats on fifer,” the 42-year-old wrote.

See Kaif's X post:

Mohammed Shami is easily the world’s most underrated pacer. To me he is a world Cup hero.. bhai ko halke mein mat lena. Congrats on fifer#Shami #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/C3U7ELQOjt

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 22, 2023

Shami's five-wicket haul stole the show: Robin Uthappa

Former India batter Robin Uthappa praised India's batting in the first ODI match. He also lauded Shami, saying the pacer stole the show. He further insisted that India's performance documented positive signs ahead of the eagerly anticipated ICC Cricket World Cup which begins on October 5.

"Team India's batting was exceptional! Openers laid the foundation, middle order finished strong, and @MdShami11’s 5-wicket haul stole the show. Solid 50’s from @surya_14kumar and @klrahul as well. Promising signs for India ahead of World Cup," Uthappa's wrote on X.

Team India's batting was exceptional! Openers laid the foundation, middle order finished strong, and @MdShami11’s 5-wicket haul stole the show. Solid 50’s from @surya_14kumar and @klrahul as well. Promising signs for India ahead of World Cup. #IndvAus

— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) September 22, 2023

After being asked to bat first, the Cummins-led Australia were all out for 276 in 50 overs. Apart from Shami's fifer, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin picked up one wicket each for India. David Warner top-scored for the Kangaroos, scoring 52 off 53 deliveries, including six boundaries and two maximums. 

Chasing 277, India batters Shubman Gill (74) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (71) provided a brilliant start, putting up a 142-run opening partnership. Despite losing three quick wickets, India's middle-order steadied the innings. With captain KL Rahul scoring an unbeaten 58 and Suryakumar Yadav adding a vital half-century, India chased down the target with eight balls remaining.