Dubai, March 5 – Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami acknowledged the increased responsibility he bears as the team’s lead pacer in the ongoing Champions Trophy, especially in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Speaking after India's four-wicket victory against Australia in the semifinal, Shami admitted that he is striving to regain his full rhythm to meet the team’s expectations. As per agency reports, Shami, who recently returned from an ankle injury, has taken eight wickets in the tournament so far and has been opening the bowling alongside either Harshit Rana or all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
With Rana still relatively new to international cricket and Pandya typically not bowling full quotas in one-day matches, Shami has had to take on a greater workload. He expressed his commitment to giving more than his hundred percent, particularly with two key fast bowlers missing from the squad. He emphasized that when a team has only one specialist pacer, it becomes essential for that bowler to lead from the front and deliver breakthroughs.
Shami suffered an ankle injury during the 2023 World Cup, which kept him out for a significant period. However, he now feels prepared to bowl longer spells when needed. He stressed that players should not overthink their fitness but instead focus on pushing their limits and observing how their body responds to the workload. He reiterated his readiness to bowl extended spells, adding that while shorter spells are easier, in limited-overs cricket, the total number of overs bowled matters more than individual spell length.
The Indian team has played all its Champions Trophy matches in Dubai, which, according to Shami, has worked to their advantage. He noted that having all matches at a single venue has allowed the team to thoroughly understand the pitch and conditions, contributing to their strong performances. With the final now in sight, Shami remains focused on delivering match-winning performances and leading India’s bowling attack in the tournament’s most crucial stage.
