Mohammed Shami acknowledged the significant responsibility of being India’s primary fast bowler after returning from a long injury. He mentioned he is focused on regaining his bowling rhythm to best support the team in the ongoing Champions Trophy. Throughout the tournament, Shami has been opening the bowling with Harshit Rana or Hardik Pandya due to Jasprit Bumrah’s injury-related absence. While Rana is still developing and Pandya is primarily an all-rounder not typically expected to bowl ten overs in an ODI, Shami has impressively taken eight wickets so far in the competition.
“I am working on getting my rhythm back and increasing my contribution to the team. It’s definitely a bigger responsibility when we are missing another frontline fast bowler, and I need to take on more,” Shami stated after India’s semifinal win against Australia on Tuesday.
Shami noted that his workload is increased without Bumrah at the other end, but he is committed to giving his absolute best. “When you are the main fast bowler and the other is an all-rounder, there’s more pressure to take wickets and lead from the front,” he explained.
“I’ve adapted to this increased workload and am trying my hardest to make things easier for my teammates and give over 100 percent,” he added.
Shami was out of action for over a year due to an ankle injury sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The experienced bowler expressed his readiness to handle the demands of bowling extended spells. “Once you are selected for the team, the question of trust is settled. I believe one shouldn’t overthink fitness. We need to put in the effort and see how our bodies respond. After all, we are like laborers in this profession.”
“I am now prepared to bowl long spells. Short spells are relatively easier – whether it’s 6 or 12 balls. In limited-overs cricket, the length of the spell, whether it’s 10 or six overs, doesn’t significantly change things,” he remarked.
The 34-year-old has bowled his full 10 overs against Bangladesh and Australia. In earlier matches against Pakistan and New Zealand, he bowled fewer overs (eight and four respectively), mainly because spinners bowled a large portion of the innings.
Venue Consistency Benefits Me
Shami mentioned that playing all of India’s Champions Trophy matches in Dubai is advantageous for him. “It’s definitely beneficial because we understand the conditions and pitch behavior here. Playing all matches at the same venue is a definite plus.”
“The crucial thing is to assess the conditions and understand the pitch’s characteristics, as playing at a single venue allows you to get familiar with it,” he said.
Gambhir Praises Shami’s Performance
Head coach Gautam Gambhir also commended Shami for his successful return from injury and his valuable contributions to the team. “He’s fantastic. He’s a world-class performer, truly phenomenal. The passion he brings, his training regimen, and the amount of practice bowling he does are remarkable. He prepares exceptionally well, and that’s why we see these results,” Gambhir stated.
Gambhir highlighted Shami’s versatility, making him a formidable bowler across different cricket formats. “He is an exceptional bowler, whether in red-ball cricket or the 50-over format. His comeback after a year and a half, especially in these challenging conditions for fast bowlers, is commendable.”
“Despite the conditions, he has bowled tough overs. I am confident he will continue to perform at this level for Indian cricket for a long time,” Gambhir added.
