NEW DELHI: Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has commended the resilience and determination of Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami following his remarkable five-wicket haul in India’s opening match of the Champions Trophy.
Ponting’s objective and neutral assessment highlights Shami’s impressive comeback from a lengthy injury layoff, describing his performance as evidence of the bowler being at the “best version” of himself.
Shami’s return to ICC tournaments was marked by a brilliant spell of 5 for 53, which played a crucial role in India’s victory over Bangladesh.
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His performance not only helped India restrict Bangladesh to a modest total of 228 but also saw him become the fastest Indian and the second-quickest overall to reach the milestone of 200 ODI wickets.
“For him to comeback, get five wickets in first game of the Champions Trophy is fantastic. They are exactly the sort of people you want in your side, the guys who would do anything for you,” Ponting told the ICC.
“Especially as a captain, you look someone in the eye and ask them to do a job for you, if they are going to do it or they are not and Shami always seems that sort of guy to me that.”
Shami’s journey to this point has been far from straightforward. He endured a 14-month absence from international cricket due to an ankle injury sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia.
This setback interrupted a remarkable run where he topped the tournament’s wicket-taker’s chart with 24 scalps. The injury required surgery, and his recovery was further complicated by swelling on his left knee, keeping him sidelined for over a year.
“It hasn’t been easy for him, yes he had a good international career but if you look back, it was a sort of stop start at the start of his career,” Ponting said.
“He has got better and better year on year and he is probably, the best version of himself right now on the back of a bit of adversity, so they are the sort of people you want around, especially in big tournaments.
“They are the characters, the players and the big moments are the ones that gets you through and for him to come back, get five wickets first game of a champions trophy is fantastic,” he added.
