Mohammed Shami Critiques Indian Bowlers After Test Defeat Against England

In a recent critique, Mohammed Shami expressed his concerns regarding the Indian bowling attack's performance during the first Test against England. He emphasized the need for other bowlers to learn from Jasprit Bumrah, who was the standout performer. Shami pointed out that while Bumrah excelled in the first innings, the rest of the bowlers struggled, allowing England to chase down a challenging target. He stressed the importance of taking wickets with the new ball and suggested that better collaboration among bowlers could lead to improved outcomes in future matches. Shami's insights highlight the need for strategic adjustments in the Indian bowling lineup.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 27, 2025, 10:57 IST

Shami's Analysis of India's Bowling Performance

Mohammed Shami expressed his disappointment with the Indian bowling attack during the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds. The English team successfully chased down the second-highest target, with only Jasprit Bumrah performing well, while the other bowlers struggled, conceding runs at an alarming rate of over 4.5 runs per over.

In his assessment of the match, Shami emphasized the need for the other bowlers to learn from Bumrah and provide him with support. Although Bumrah achieved a five-wicket haul in the first innings, he failed to take any wickets in the second.

Shami stated, "The other Indian bowlers should engage with Bumrah to learn from his strategies. They need to collaborate on planning and back him up. If they do so, we can secure victories more easily. Reflecting on the first match, I believe we need to enhance our bowling performance."

He pointed out that the wickets taken by Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna had little effect on the match outcome, as England was already in control. Shami highlighted the critical nature of taking wickets with the new ball.

"While Shardul and Prasidh each took two wickets in the second innings, by the time Shardul dismissed two English batsmen, the match was already beyond India's grasp. It's crucial to capitalize on the new ball and support Bumrah effectively. England triumphed in the first Test largely because we allowed them too many easy runs. We must strengthen our bowling unit," he concluded.