'Have played extraordinary cricket in recent times', says pace maestro Mohammed Shami

It has not been a simple excursion for Mohammed Shami, one of the key bowlers of India's pace bowling department across all formats, to arrive at the space where he is today. From the battle of early cricketing years, injuries to a significant disturbance in close to home life a couple of years back - he has endured everything. 

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The experience has hardened him up such a lot that he favors an accept it-as-it-comes mentality throughout everyday life - and it's the same with regards to significant tasks like the World Test Championship finale against New Zealand one month from now or the five-Test arrangement against England which follows. Team India have additionally picked 3 backup seamers-Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, and Arzan Nagwaswalla. 

Mohammed Shami said as a senior individual from the squad, the sensation of duty comes naturally to him.

The line-up of quick bowlers in the kind-sized Indian squad is very stunning with Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur while there are three promising tyros as stand byes.

‘‘We have played some extraordinary cricket in recent times as a unit and naturally, the confidence level is high on the eve of our departure for England. If we can reproduce some form which we did see over the last six months, I am confident it will be a great summer for us,’’ – he added.

Lamentably, however, Shami couldn't be a part of the purple fix as he was struck on the elbow by a Pat Cummins while batting during the day-night first Test in Adelaide Oval - which governed him out of the remainder of the series just as the England series which followed. In any case, regardless of arranging a rebound to serious cricket after almost four months, Shami showed no corrosion as he dove head-first into the IPL crusade for his team Punjab Kings.

‘‘The experience over the years has helped me to learn to look after my body. I know how much training is needed, how to keep myself hydrated etc - all these factors must have also helped’’ – he said 

Looking forward at what might be his way to deal with bowling in England, where his strong reverse swing could be at a higher cost than normal, Shami felt it would rely upon the conditions.

‘‘I do not believe in overthinking about what my approach will be. I found my rhythm back in the IPL and the rest, of course, depends on the conditions,’’ he said.

Mohammed Shami is just 20 wickets short of turning into the fifth Indian pacer to achieve 200 wickets in Tests. The fast bowler will be eager to accomplish the milestone on the impending visit through England.