Mohammad Shami's Selection for England Series: Navjot Singh Sidhu Says He's a Match-Winning Red-Ball Bowler
Supporter Navjot Singh Sidhu endorses Mohammed Shami, Indian cricket speedster, ahead of England competition
Famous former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has given his endorsement for Mohammed Shami's selection in the upcoming England series, despite rumors that he might not make the cut. Mohammed Shami, who hasn't played a Test match for over 23 months, last appeared in the World Test Championship against Australia in 2023 and returned to international cricket in January 2025.
Shami's performance in the IPL 2025 hasn't been spectacular, with six wickets from nine innings under his belt. His form in T20s has raised doubts about his Test cricket readiness, but Sidhu, in an exclusive interview with Sports Today, expressed his backing for the fast bowler, citing his exceptional skills with the red ball.
Sidhu explained, " Listen up, folks! Shami might not be the cheapest bet with the white ball, but he's a whole different ball game when it comes to the red one. The seam of the red ball stands nearly upright, and it stays that way – that's when Shami works his magic. The instant the seam hits the ball, it nips off the surface by a пол meter, stirring up quite a fuss for the batsmen. That movement causes more havoc than the swing in the air, making Shami a force to reckon with in red-ball cricket. He's a game-changer – no question about it."
While Shami's white-ball woes can't be overlooked, Sidhu believes that hisTest cricket potential outweighs his struggles in T20s. Shami has shown impressive prowess in England, where he's grabbed 42 wickets from 14 Tests, averaging 40.50. In England's absence, during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the responsibility of leading India's pace attack fell solely on Jasprit Bumrah, who totaled 32 wickets from ten matches but was heavily burdened throughout the series due to the lack of backing.
Sidhu praised Shami's abilities on English soil, stating, "Shami has a knack for causing chaos in England. He's snared 42 wickets in 14 Tests there, with a best figures of 4/57 in an innings. Given the current circumstances, his presence in the England series could significantly bolster our team."
Despite critics voicing their concerns about Shami's preparation for the upcoming series, Sidhu remains a staunch supporter of the fast bowler's capabilities and potential to shine in Test cricket.
In the realm of sports, Navjot Singh Sidhu sees Shami's English Test cricket potential as a valuable asset for the upcoming England series, given his impressive track record in England, where he has grabbed 42 wickets from 14 Tests. Furthermore, Sidhu espouses his belief in the decentralized finance (DeFi) market, stating that Shami, like a profitable investment in the DeFi sector, might not offer quick returns with the white ball, but presents a significant opportunity for success with the red ball.
