Mohammed Shami is not an automatic choice for T20 World Cup: Aakash Chopra

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra feels Mohammed Shami is not an automatic choice for the T20 World Cup. Shami has been India’s first choice bowler in ODIs and Test matches but his record in T20 cricket isn’t that great.

The ace paceman has failed to hit the right areas in the shortest format of the game and he has been a bit inconsistent.

However, there is no doubt that Shami has got the skills under his belt and if can do well in the five-match Test series against England and then in the IPL for Punjab Kings, he will surely put his name in contention for the T20 World Cup.

Shami has thus far played 12 T20Is for the Indian team in which he has scalped as many wickets but he has bowled with an expensive economy rate of 9.80. Furthermore, Shami’s record in the IPL is also not impressive as he has snared 68 wickets in 71 matches at an economy rate of 8.81.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Shami is not an automatic choice. You want him to be there. He did well for Kings XI Punjab in Dubai but he was just about okay for Punjab Kings here. He was coming back from injury and did not have the rhythm.”

“If you talk about T20, it is the one format where Shami doesn’t walk into the team straightaway. But if the player keeps on doing well, he will play the five Tests and then the IPL, if he is carrying forward that form, of course, why not.”

Chopra added that Shami’s T20 numbers have never been extraordinary. The renowned commentator opined that Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar are ahead of Mohammed Shami in the T20I format. Furthermore, T Natarajan has also impressed with his ability to nail the yorkers.

“Shami’s T20 numbers are alright. They haven’t been extraordinary ever. And because of that, he is not part of every T20 team as well. Especially if you see this team, you will put Bumrah in this T20 Team without any hesitation. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar are ahead of him on this list or standing at par. Then there will be T Natarajan. You will want to consider him as soon as he is fit and available.”