This was his first World Cup game. And India were very much under the pump. So, in every sense, the pressure was on Mohammed Shami. Had it been any other side, Shami would be a certainty. But India now have Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, which has forced Shami to be the third seamer. But then, champions wait for an opportunity. Hardik Pandya’s injury was one such for Shami. Had Hardik been fine, Shami wouldn’t have played. And that’s why it is said that someone’s bad luck is another person’s opportunity. Shami with incredible figures of 5-54 grabbed the opportunity with both hands and has staked a real claim to a first XI place going forward.
Fit and hungry, he is bowling at his best and could be pivotal to the success of Rohit Sharma and his team. What is perhaps most important is that he is mentally in a much better zone and that too is reflecting on the field as he runs in to bowl.
What explains Shami, and how does he make it count each time he is written off?
It is because he is now very much in control of his game. Like he had said to us a while back, “I have to say I have now come to terms with my game. I have now learnt that I need to stay fit to bowl with pace and skill. I know how important it is to have clarity on what I need to do. I am aware of my responsibilities and we as a bowling unit are working together on the job at hand. It is not about Mohammed Shami, the individual. It is about us a bowling group complementing each other.”
He had thereafter gone on to say how physical fitness has made him the bowler he is. “Yes, I am in the best physical shape I have ever been,” he said. “Pehle itna jante nahi the. Pata nahi tha ki kya karna hai. Samay ke saath jan chuka hoon ki fitness ke liye kya karna chahiye [At first, I didn’t know much. I didn’t know what to do. With time, I’ve understood what needs to be done for fitness]. I have left eating biriyani, which as you know I just loved to eat. Honestly speaking, I have given up on all my indulgences, and have to say that’s what explains the fitness and the intensity. I feel much better, and I know to do what I do for my country I have to make a few sacrifices. The love and affection I get from Indian cricket fans more than make up for that.”
His final words were gold.
“Unless you take every practice session with the same seriousness, you can’t just turn up for a match and bowl well. The rhythm that you talk about is the result of hours of practice and I can tell you I am not done yet. I still have a lot to learn and feel with every single day I can improve more. I will work harder and learn more, and try and win more games for India.”