Home
India's pace spearhead Mohammed Shami opened up on the added responsibility he's shouldered, especially after returning from an extended injury break. Shami is focusing on reestablishing his rhythm to meet the team's requirements in the Champions Trophy 2025. Due to Jasprit Bumrah's absence, Shami has been leading the pace attack, sharing new-ball duties with either Harshit Rana or Hardik Pandya.
Mohammed Shami opens up on increased workload in Jasprit Bumrah's absence in Champions Trophy
The situation has presented unique challenges. Rana is a relatively inexperienced player still developing his skills, while Pandya, an all-rounder, isn't primarily a specialist ODI bowler expected to consistently deliver ten overs. This dynamic has placed extra pressure on Shami, who has risen to the occasion, securing eight wickets thus far in the tournament.
“I am trying to get my rhythm back and contribute more for the team. It is a responsibility when there are no two proper fast bowlers and I have to shoulder more responsibility,” Shami said in a mixed zone interaction following India’s four-wicket win over Australia in Champions Trophy semifinal.
Shami openly admitted that the absence of Jasprit Bumrah has massively increased his workload. Without Bumrah's presence at the other end, sharing the pace attack, Shami has had to shoulder a greater burden of responsibility. This situation has necessitated him to exert more effort and maintain a higher level of intensity throughout his bowling spells.
“There is a load when you are the one main fast bowler and the other is an all-rounder. You have to pick wickets and lead from the front. I have become used to this load and am trying my best to make it easy for others and give more than 100 per cent,” he added.
Shami's return to international cricket comes after a prolonged absence due to an ankle injury sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup, sidelining him for over a year. Now, having regained his fitness, the veteran pacer has expressed his readiness to take on the increased demands placed upon him. He's prepared to shoulder the responsibility of bowling extended spells, demonstrating his commitment to the team's success despite the challenges posed by his recent injury and the absence of key bowling partners.
“The trust debate ends when you get selected in the team. I don’t think that one should worry about his fitness too much. We just need to put in the effort and see how your body takes it. I am now ready to bowl long spells. Short spells are anyways easy — 6 balls or 12 balls — and in limited-overs cricket it doesn’t matter whether it’s 10 or six overs,” Shami further said.
Shami's workload has varied throughout the Champions Trophy. He has bowled his full quota of 10 overs in the crucial matches against Bangladesh and Australia, demonstrating his ability to sustain his performance over longer spells. In contrast, he bowled shorter spells in the earlier games against Pakistan and New Zealand, delivering eight and four overs respectively.
The 34-year-old also talked about the Dubai advantage as all of India’s Champions Trophy matches are being held in the same venue. He implied that the consistent playing conditions at the Dubai venue have aided his efforts to regain rhythm and perform effectively.
“It has definitely helped us because we know the conditions and the behaviour of the pitch. It is a plus point that you are playing all the matches at one venue. The main thing is to gauge the conditions and know how the pitch behaves because you are playing at one venue and you can get to know it well,” he concluded.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
