Very happy that I got those wickets – Mohammed Shami

It was a dream return for Mohammed Shami to the India XI as he made a massive impressition in his very first match of the 2023 World Cup with a blistering fifer that saw New Zealand crumbling like ninepins in front of a fireball.

He struck his first scalp on the very first ball of his opening spell with a delivery that landed outside off with its seam up and nipped back fractionally to kiss Will Young’s timbre.

Next up in Shami’s long list of hauls was Rachin Ravindra who looked good until then, only to hit the ball straight down the throat of Shubman Gill in the deep.

The ace Indian quick had no intentions of relenting as he spat fire with his cutters and swingers that left the Kiwi batters in visible agony. Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry were no match for Shami’s snaking seam as their timbre was knocked back without any respite.

Shami’s final haul of the day was the prized scalp of Daryl Mitchell, who smashed a scintillating ton to keep New Zealand afloat as he holed out to Virat Kohli in the deep. Awarded the Player of the Match, Mohammed Shami highlighted at the post-match presentation the conditions that helped him to get the better of half of the Kiwi line-up.

Shami said, “Got a lot of confidence after taking a wicket on the first ball. If your teammates are doing well, you should support them, it's important that the team performs well, I understand that. It was important to pick those late wickets, you always want your team to be the top side. Very happy that I got those wickets and India is on top of the table.”