Mohammed Shami | Why Aakash Chopra says Mohammed Shami not an automatic choice for T20 World Cup playing eleven

Fast bowler Mohammed Shami is an important part of the Indian Test and ODI team. He has brought the opposition team to its knees several times with his sharp bowling. He took 4 wickets in his bag against New Zealand in the final of the recent World Test Championship. He troubled the Kiwi batsmen a lot with his speed.

However, Shami has played less T20 International (12) matches than Test (51) and ODI (79). He has not been as effective in T20 Internationals as in the other two formats. The T20 World Cup 2021 is to be played in the UAE this year, for which discussions have already started. Many former cricketers and experts have given their views. At the same time, former Indian batsman and well-known commentator Akash believes that Shami will not be an automatic choice in India’s playing XI in the upcoming World Cup.

‘Mohammed Shami doesn’t have the rhythm’

Aakash Chopra said in the video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Shami will not be an automatic choice. You want him to be there. He did well for Kings XI Punjab in Dubai but his performance here for Punjab Kings was just fine. He is back from injury and doesn’t have the rhythm.

Even though Akash does not see Shami as the first choice in the Indian playing XI in the World Cup, the former cricketer feels the pacer can cement his place in the T20 team. Aakash believes that to do so, Shami will have to do well in the upcoming Test against England and the second leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

‘Shami is not seen coming straight into the team’

The commentator said, ‘If you talk about T20, then this is the only format in which Shami is not seen coming directly into the team. But if the bowler performs consistently, then he can make a place in the team. He will play the five-Test series against England and then the second leg of the IPL, will have to continue his same form to get into the same team.