Mohammed Shami's Dismantling of Ben Stokes Termed 'Over of the Tournament'

Mohammed Shami has been at his best ever seen breaking into India’s playing XI for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 after the injury of allrounder Hardik Pandya earlier this month. In just two matches, Shami has collected nine wickets, continuing his remarkable run in ODI world cups.

Shami has racked up 40 wickets in just 13 matches he has played in ODI world cups which is the second most by any India bowler in the competition’s history.

On Sunday, he summoned his best with India defending just 229 against an England side boasting of some of the fiercest hitters of the cricket ball. He finished with figures of 4/22 as England were skittled for 129 runs in 34.5 overs.

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Shami’s dismissal of Ben Stokes particularly stole the limelight as he frustrated the England star with some teasing line and length to have been clean bowled for a 10-ball duck.

After repeatedly beating him on the outside edge, Shami bowled one full and onto the stumps as Stokes backed away for a big shot only to see the ball crash onto the stumps.

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra praised the ‘impeccable’ performance of the India fast bowlers.

“Considering India put up a total of just 229 – it was bound to make one concerned. We also had to take into account dew being a major factor later on. But the way the Indian pacers bowled, was impeccable to see. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami taking early and important wickets really put them on the back foot,” Chopra said on JioCinema.

He went on to term Shami’s set up of Stokes as ‘the over of the tournament’.

“For me, Shami’s over – when he bowled round the stumps to Ben Stokes was the ‘Over of the tournament’. Overall, the bowling unit worked in tandem and absolutely dismantled England’s batting order,” Chopra said.

Despite the rollicking performances of Shami and Bumrah, it was India captain Rohit Sharma who picked up player-of-the-match award for his brilliant innings of 87 on a challenging Lucknow pitch.

“Rohit Sharma, yet again, led from the front and I still don’t know why he isn’t celebrated enough. It’s hard to sustain your innings when you keep on losing wickets on the other end. But he played a very important knock.” Chopra said.