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In the riveting ODI against Australia, cricket enthusiasts witnessed a gritty display of resilience and skill by Mohammed Shami. Despite the draining humidity making extended spells a challenge for bowlers, Shami began with an impactful start, removing Mitchell Marsh in the game's initial stages. Although visibly exhausted by his fourth over's end, his resolve remained unshaken.
Upon his return to the field, stand-in captain KL Rahul handed him the ball, marking the commencement of Shami's second spell. Immediately, he made his presence felt, dismantling the defense of a solid Steve Smith. His onslaught didn't end there. By the innings' close, he had added the wickets of Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Short, and Sean Abbott, finalizing his tally at 5/51. This impressive figure placed him in the illustrious bracket of achieving the second-best bowling figures by an Indian against Australia in ODIs.
One might wonder about Shami's strategies against Mohali's treacherous heat. Renowned for his exceptional wrist work and tweaks during the release, Shami is a formidable force on even the most batsman-friendly pitches. However, enduring the heat and maintaining consistency after an energy-draining opening spell is where experience steps in.
Elaborating on the challenges faced during the match, Shami shared during the post-match press conference, "The heat does play a factor. We are human beings after all... When the wickets are unresponsive, you have to put in that extra effort with the ball so you will naturally see fast bowlers bowling shorter spells because of that."
Despite his brilliance, Shami isn't always the first-choice bowler in the Indian ODI lineup, as seen when he was included in the absence of Mohammed Siraj due to health reasons. The regular switching among players is necessitated by their participation across all formats, including the IPL. This rotation policy is significant for workload management, ensuring players get adequate rest and recovery time. However, for Shami, rest seems to have a different definition.
He explained, "That break after the WTC final was necessary... But my rest doesn't feel like rest because I end up practising more at home. The kind of set-up I have at my home, I practice more compared to when I am with the Indian team."
Regarding the much-discussed rotation policy, Shami expressed confidence in the team's strategies. "The coach plays a crucial role in rotating the players according to the conditions. It also depends on the opposition... so there is no need to change the plans," he emphasised.
Such insights not only provide a deeper understanding of the dynamics within Team India but also underscore the dedication and adaptability of seasoned players like Mohammed Shami.
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