Indian cricket’s pace sensation, Mohammed Shami, holds a refreshing perspective on his role as a bowler, emphasizing his adaptability and selflessness when it comes to the choice of the ball and his bowling responsibilities. With the return of Jasprit Bumrah for the Asia Cup 2023, the question of who will partner with the Gujarat speedster in the new ball duty against Pakistan becomes intriguing.
During Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, Shami and Mohammed Siraj effectively shared the new ball duties in the ODI series against Australia earlier this year. Shami’s pragmatic attitude shines through as he affirms, “I don’t have any hesitancy to bowl with the new ball or the old ball. I don’t have an ego like that.” Shami’s approach underscores his commitment to the team’s requirements, rather than individual preferences. “All three of us – Bumrah, Shami & Siraj – are bowling very well, so it depends on the management on who will play,” Shami revealed in an interview with Star Sports ahead of the Asia Cup.
Shami’s adaptability is reflected in his willingness to take on different roles based on the team’s needs. “Depends on whether I have the new ball or whether the team requires me at any stage during the match, I’m always on,” asserts Shami, showcasing his readiness to step up whenever his team needs him.
For someone with an impressive record of 162 wickets from 90 matches and an economy rate of 5.60, Shami’s approach isn’t confined to specific formats or the color of the ball. “There is too much talk about the white ball or red ball, if you bowl in the right areas I don’t think that there is any difficulty in any ball,” Shami remarks. His philosophy revolves around executing his skills meticulously, irrespective of the ball’s characteristics.
Shami’s straightforward game plan is built around commitment and focus. “There is only one goal, to go and give 100%, the result will come running to us if we give our 100%. So it is very important to focus and execute, it’s a very simple plan.” Bumrah’s return augments the team’s spirits as they gear up for significant events like the upcoming World Cup.
Reflecting on Bumrah’s significance, Shami acknowledges, “For a long time we didn’t have Jassi (Bumrah), so we felt the loss of a good player like him.” Bumrah’s return not only boosts the bowling attack but also enhances the overall team combination. Shami further adds, “So having Jassi, especially in the white-ball format, has made our bowling very strong.” Shami is optimistic about the Asia Cup and is looking forward to a successful campaign with Bumrah back in the mix.
The preparatory camp before the Asia Cup in Alur has been a valuable experience for Shami, who aims to hit the ground running against Pakistan after his last white-ball appearance in March. Shami believes in a balanced approach, stating, “For big games, there is always preparation as we have practised in the training camp. I don’t think we have to analyze too much into the situation.” His focus remains on executing his skills with precision and dedication, an approach that resonates with his team-centric ethos.
