Kolkata, Nov 8 (IANS): Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is all praise for pacer Mohammad Shami for his dream debut performance, and hopes he would carry the momentum to form a potent Indian pace attack.

Shami, who used the old ball to telling effect, decimated the West Indies batting line-up to finish with match figures of 9/118. It was the best Test debut by an Indian fast bowler.

“Shami bowled really well. Getting the ball to reverse late and it is getting half the job done when a seamer gets through to the tail. He bowled with good pace and got the ball to swing late and I am very happy for him."

“He got a nine-wicket haul and I hope he carries it through and forms a potent attack with the senior bowlers,” said Ashwin.

“When you start getting to reverse, you tend to bowl full, making it easier for the batsman. But what Shami did to the batsmen was brilliant as he hit the deck and got the ball to move off the seam. He was brilliant,” said the 27-year-old.