Fast as a ball Mohammed Shami: becomes fastest Indian to bag 100 wickets in ODIs

Napier, January 23: Year 2019 has come with a splendid spirit for the Indian Cricket team, it seems. Scaffolding the team towards their win in the first ODI in New Zealand, Mohammed Shami became the fastest Indian bowler to complete 100 wickets in one-day internationals.

 

After their winning strike in Australia, India also marked their win in the opening match against New Zealand. Entering the five-match rubber, India signalled their intent with a clinical display, which saw them chase down a revised target of 156 with eight wickets and 85 balls to spare.

On a near-perfect day, the only thing that didn't go their way was the toss. But India made light of that by bowling out the home team for a paltry 157 in 38 overs. For his brilliant figures of 3/19, Mohammed Shami was named the player of the match.

 

This was the 56th game in the 50-over format of the Bengal pacer. Shami knocked New Zealand opener Martin Guptill in the very first over he bowled in the match to achieve the feat of being the fastest Indian bowler to have 100 wickets on their name in ODIs.

 

Before Shami, Irfan Pathan had reached the 100-wicket mark in 59 ODIs. Zaheer Khan (65 ODIs), Ajit Agarkar (67) and Javagal Srinath (68 ODIs) complete the top five fastest bowlers from India to complete 100 wickets.

Overall, Shami is now tied with the Zealander Trent Boult as the sixth fastest to the landmark in terms of matches played.