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Shami’s 37 Wickets Place Him Second Only to Kapil Dev Against Australia

Mohammed Shami has become the second-best Indian bowler against Australia in One-Day International (ODI) cricket after taking five wickets. Shami’s exceptional performance in the opening match of the three-game ODI series propelled him past former pacer Ajit Agarkar in the list of Indian bowlers with the most wickets opposite Australia.

During the opening clash of the series, Shami delivered a superb bowling performance, securing five wickets for just 51 runs against the formidable Australian batting lineup. This stellar achievement solidified his position in Indian cricketing lore.

Shami now boasts an impressive tally of 37 wickets against Australia, placing him just behind the legendary Kapil Dev, who leads the chart with 45 scalps. Ajit Agarkar occupies the third position with 36 wickets, followed by Javagal Srinath (33) and Harbhajan Singh (32).

Not only did Shami ascend the wicket-taking charts, but he also delivered the third-best bowling spell against Australia in ODI history. The pinnacle of this record still belongs to Indian cricket icon Kapil Dev, who registered a remarkable bowling figure of 5/43 back in 1983 at Trent Bridge.

Turning to the match itself, the contest between India and Australia showcased cricketing excellence. A century partnership between openers Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad set the stage, complemented by a breakthrough half-century from Suryakumar Yadav. However, the standout performance of the day was undoubtedly Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul, which played a pivotal role in India’s thrilling five-wicket victory over Australia in the first ODI at Mohali on Friday.

Also See: India vs Australia (IND vs AUS) Schedule | Match Dates, Timing and Venues

Australia, batting first, posted a competitive total of 276 runs in their allotted 50 overs. Key contributions came from David Warner (52), Josh Inglis (45), Steven Smith (41), and Marnus Labuschagne (39). Mohammed Shami’s exceptional bowling, with figures of 5/51, earned him the accolades as the standout bowler for India. Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah each chipped in with a wicket.

Chasing a target of 277, India’s opening duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad (71) and Shubman Gill (74) provided a solid foundation with a partnership of 142 runs. Captain KL Rahul (58*) and Suryakumar Yadav (50) contributed fifties of their own, guiding India to a five-wicket win with eight balls to spare. Adam Zampa was the standout bowler for the Australians, finishing with figures of 2/57.

With this victory, India takes a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, setting the stage for an exciting showdown in the upcoming games.

Mohammed Shami’s extraordinary performance earned him the well-deserved ‘Player of the Match’ award, cementing his status as a key figure in India’s quest for ODI supremacy.

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