The 22-year-old from Bengal made a promising debut, against Pakistan, in the third and final ODI at the Ferozeshah Kotla yesterday.
"The small things that he's (Akram) taught me have made me a better bowler. Things like bowling with the old ball, reversing it and maintaining it, which line to bowl when you're trying to reverse-swing the ball. He's taught me a lot when it comes to using the white ball," Shami said of the Pakistan legend.
Akram's tips proved to be handy as Shami bowled a crucial 48th over, helping India win the match by 10 runs.
About Gambhir, Shami said the left-hander explained to him the importance of bowling the right line and length to an opening batsman.
"As an opening batsman, Gauti Bhai (Gambhir) keeps telling me what a new ball should do to trouble the batsman. Every time I bowl to him in the nets (at KKR) he doesn't only concentrate on his batting. He makes it a point to give me honest feedback on every delivery, which helps me improve," Shami was quoted as saying by 'BCCI.Tv'.
The bowler finished with impressive figures of one for 23 in nine overs. PT AH
PM
