India’s fast bowler Mohammed Shami carved his name into the annals of history at the renowned Wankhede Cricket Stadium with an astonishing performance that left spectators and commentators utterly astounded. Shami, with a display of sheer brilliance, surpassed legendary bowlers like Harbhajan Singh and Javagal Srinath by achieving the remarkable milestone of four five-wicket hauls in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for India. In accomplishing this feat, he not only secured the leading position on this esteemed list but also played a pivotal role in steering India towards a resounding victory in an exhilarating World Cup 2023 clash against Sri Lanka.
The Legends of Indian Cricket
Harbhajan Singh and Javagal Srinath, revered names in the realm of Indian cricket, had held the record with their extraordinary bowling prowess for years. Shami’s achievement is no small feat, as he now stands alone with four five-wicket hauls to his name in ODIs.
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Most Five-Wicket Hauls for India in ODIs:
- Mohammed Shami – 4
- Harbhajan Singh – 3
- Javagal Srinath – 3
The match began with Team India’s lineup mirroring their performance against England in the previous game. Though an early setback was encountered with the departure of skipper Rohit Sharma on the second ball of the inning, the team rallied and posted an impressive total of 357/8 while batting first.
The Indian seamers, led by the indomitable Jasprit Bumrah, took the reins early in the game. Bumrah set the tone by dismissing Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka on the very first ball of the inning. Mohammed Siraj followed suit, picking up three wickets in less than two overs of his spell.
However, the true star of the bowling spectacle was Mohammed Shami. Joining the wicket-taking spree, Shami claimed the prized wicket of Bhanuka Asalanka with his third delivery. He continued to dismantle the Sri Lankan batting lineup, dismissing Dushan Hemantha, Angelo Matthews, and Dushmantha Chameera in quick succession. Shami’s exceptional bowling reached its zenith when he dismissed Kasun Rajitha, securing his fifth wicket and breaking the longstanding record.
Mohammed Shami makes World Cup Record
Shami’s stellar performance is not limited to this historic five-wicket haul; it extends to the entire World Cup 2023. The pacer has been bowling with remarkable consistency, becoming the highest wicket-taker for India in the World Cup’s history. His tally of 45 wickets surpasses the previous joint record held by Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath, who both had 44 wickets to their names. What sets Shami apart is the rapidity with which he achieved this feat, requiring only 14 matches compared to their 33 and 23 matches, respectively.
Mohammed Shami: The Indian bowler with the greatest five-wicket totals in ODI history
Moreover, Shami’s brilliance goes beyond the World Cup as well; he currently holds the record for most five-wicket innings of any Indian bowler in ODI history. With each outstanding performance, Shami is reinforcing his status as one of the premier fast bowlers on the international stage.
In this thrilling face-off against Sri Lanka, Shami’s historic achievement not only shone brightly but also played a crucial role in securing India’s place in the World Cup semifinals with a resounding 302-run victory. The Indian team has been on an incredible winning streak, emerging victorious in all seven of their matches, a clear testament to their dominance in the tournament.
With an ending score of just 55 all out, Sri Lanka’s batting collapse is the fourth-lowest total in World Cup history, emphasizing the phenomenal power of the Indian bowling unit commanded by Shami.
Mohammed Shami’s extraordinary accomplishment has not only brought glory to his country but has also etched his name in cricket’s pantheon of greats. As the World Cup unfolds, fans and pundits eagerly await further exploits from this exceptional talent, which seems bound for even greater heights. The legacy of Indian fast bowling has found a worthy successor in Mohammed Shami, and the world is watching in awe.
