West Indies great snubs Jasprit Bumrah, names Mohammed Shami as India's best bowler; Siraj nowhere close

Mohammed Shami is currently playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Legendary West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts has hailed Mohammed Shami as India’s best pacer, picking up the Bengal seamer over Jasprit Bumrah for this high label.

Despite Bumrah’s excellent form since his return from a back injury in 2023 and while Shami has been out of international cricket since last November due to an ankle injury, Roberts went with the senior pacer over Bumrah, hailing Shami as a “full package”.

Roberts, who was part of West Indies’ iconic pace quartet in the 1970s and 1980s, opined that Shami is more consistent than Bumrah.

“Shami has been India’s best bowler for a while. He may not get the amount of wickets Jasprit Bumrah gets, but he’s the full package and is more consistent than the rest. Shami swings the ball, Shami seams the ball and Shami’s control is as good as Bumrah’s,” Roberts told Mid-day.

Roberts observed that Mohammed Siraj, currently the second pick seamer for India after Bumrah in the BGT 2024-25, is nowhere close to Shami’s class. The West Indian feels India should get Shami to Australia soon.

“Shami should play. Mohammed Siraj is nowhere near Shami,” Roberts added.

Shami has made his comeback to action with the ongoing domestic season. He played in one Ranji Trophy match and then has been featuring in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Tournament. He has played in eight SMAT matches so far and snared nine wickets. His fitness is being closely monitored by the BCCI.

Will Mohammed Shami play against Australia?

Following the loss in Adelaide, India captain Rohit Sharma said the “door is very much open” for Shami to return and play in the BGT 2024-25 but it all depends on the pacer getting fitness clearance.

“We want to be more than 100% sure with him because it has been a long time. We don’t want to put pressure on him to come here and do the job for the team. There are some professionals monitoring, we will take a call based on what those guys feel. They are the ones watching him every game, how he pulls up after the game, after bowling four overs, standing for 20 overs. But the door is open for him to come and play anytime,” Sharma said.

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