Why Mohammed Shami Was the Star Man for India at the 2015 Cricket World Cup

Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan both had strong claims, but the star man for India at the 2015 Cricket World Cup was Mohammed Shami.

Despite tough Test and ODI series defeats against Australia immediately prior to the World Cup, there were few doubts about India's batting. A lineup boasting the class of Dhawan, Raina, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni was always primed for success, even on unfamiliar Antipodean pitches.

The big question mark ahead of India's title defence was the state of their fast bowling. Could they adapt to flat yet bouncy pitches? Would they have enough pace to unsettle batsmen? The answer to both was yes, starting against old rivals Pakistan in the opener.

We've come to expect fireworks from Pakistani pacemen, but you can count the number of Indian bowlers of genuine pace on the fingers of one hand. Slippery though Javagal Srinath was, even he couldn't really be placed in the express category.

In Shami and Umesh Yadav, India found a pair of bowlers capable of cranking up the pace. They may not have quite matched Mitchell Johnson on the speed gun, but they were rapid enough to add a new dimension to India's traditionally sedentary pace attack.

The numbers speak for themselves. Only Mitchell Starc and Trent Boult picked up more wickets than Shami and Yadav.

Of bowlers who took at least 10 wickets in the competition, Yadav and Shami had the fifth and sixth best strike rate.

India's new-look pace attack certainly impressed VVS Laxman. He told Sky Sports, "The way the bowlers have transformed their talent and potential into winning games for India has been a revelation. They’re always looking to take wickets. I’ve been really impressed."

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The pick of the pair was Shami. He may have been a touch slower than Yadav but his bowling was more consistent. A wicket-taking threat with the new ball, Shami proved a reliable operator at the business end of innings.

The fast-bowlers' union appears to have played a part in Shami's recent improvement. Speaking on Star Sports TV after India's win over the West Indies (per The Hindustan Times), the 25-year-old revealed how some advice from Pakistani ace Shoaib Akhtar had helped him find an extra yard.

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The recent change in run-up has surely increased my pace. So I am continuing with it and hoping that it pays rich dividends. I did have a chat with Shoaib (Akhtar) bhai and he suggested that I should reduce my big strides. So shortened my stride and it has worked. It (the new run-up) is smooth and comfortable and it has also increased my pace.

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India's pacemen will need careful monitoring if they're to continue their development, a fact acknowledged by MS Dhoni.

Speaking after his side's semi-final defeat, the World Cup skipper said (per The Hindu),

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If we want to look at the interests of Indian cricket, we have to monitor the progress of fast bowlers as to how many overs they are sending down and what amount of workload they are taking. At the same time, our bowlers shouldn't play too many matches in Indian domestic cricket.

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India's slow, flat pitches can be graveyards for quick bowlers. Get the ball through the air at over 140km/h and a bowler can take the pitch out of the equation. In Shami and Yadav, India have a pair of bowlers capable of doing just that.

Virat Kohli has looked to play a daring and attacking style of cricket since assuming the Test captaincy. He needs fast bowlers to carry out those plans. Shami and Yadav fit in nicely with the new regime.

At 25 and 27, Shami and Yadav should both still be around for the next World Cup.

As Shoaib Akhtar told the PTI news agency (per The Deccan Herald), “I am glad to see such matured performances from Shami and Umesh in all the matches and I believe it's not long before they are regarded as world-class bowlers.”

If they do reach those exalted heights, India will likely be challenging for glory once again at the 2019 World Cup in England.