IPL 2020: 3 senior players who changed roles to fit their team’s needs

#3. Mohammad Shami (Kings XI Punjab)

Mohammed Shami (Image credit: kxip.in)

India pacer Mohammad Shami was always considered a good bowler in Tests and ODIs when he was with Delhi Daredevils till 2018. The right-arm fast bowler wasn’t a regular member of the side, due to the perception that he isn’t good enough when it comes to the shortest format.

Since he was picked up by KXIP last season, Shami has been a revelation, finishing with 19 wickets in 2019 and 20 wickets in 2020.

Shami is always a good bowler with a brand new ball in his hand. His wrist position at the time of release means that his balls often land on the seam. It was only his death bowling skills that remained under constant scrutiny.

While Shami relies a lot on short-pitched deliveries and change of pace in the slog overs, he turned things around against Mumbai Indians in the Super Over when he nailed down six yorkers to defend five runs. Since that game, Shami has felt very confident in bowling yorkers under pressure.

Shami’s newfound strength in the death overs is good news for Indian cricket, as he and Jasprit Bumrah can be quite a handful proposition to get away in the upcoming T20I World Cup.