'That ability makes it tough to play him' - Sunil Gavaskar explains what makes Mohammed Shami stand above the rest

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar heaped praises on fast bowler Mohammed Shami for playing a key role in the Indian side in terms of bowling long spells. Shami was rested for every limited overs series after the T20 World Cup 2021 and has been playing just the red-ball format for India.

The 31-year-old, despite having much less game time, looked in great touch against Sri Lanka and bowled a peach of a delivery to dismiss Sri Lankan skipper Dimuth Karunaratne in the first innings to finish with 2/18 in his quick spell.

Shami has the ability to get considerable seam movement after hitting the pitch and he has always been a great force to reckon with in Test cricket. He has been played a big hand in India’s overseas victories and has often been left out without getting acknowledged despite being a consistent performer.

Mohammed Shami can build pressure with every single delivery: Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar mentioned that Shami has the knack of building up pressure from one end by bowling some tough lengths for the batters and hailed for him going unnoticed at times despite doing being a workhorse. He added that the right arm seamer has been clocking good speeds every delivery and hardly fails to give his 100 per cent. Shami’s bowling partner Jasprit Bumrah picked up five wickets in the first innings against Sri Lanka.

“Yes he is somebody who can bowl long spells, sustain that pace, and can build pressure with every single delivery. You need somebody like that. He has been terrific as well. People often forget that sometimes you got to be one of the quicker bowlers has to be a workhorse that means he has to bowl not just a four-over spell, but a six or seven-over spell and that is what Shami does,” Sunil Gavaskar told Star Sports at the end of Day one.

“He runs in hard every ball and gives you everything. And he has got this ability that with just a little flick of the wrist he gets the ball to move either way. Tough to play him,” he added.