'Ego hurt ho raha tha' - Mohammed Shami reveals reasons behind offensive batting approach in Nagpur Test

The Indian pair of Mohammed Shami and Axar Patel was instrumental in helping the India side score 400 runs in the opening Test match against Australia in Nagpur, and give their team a commanding lead in the first innings.

Shami came in to bat early on the Day 3 and looked in complete control right from the start and made sure he rotated the strike with Axar Patel and smashed the bad deliveries into the stands. He scored a vital 37 runs off 47 deliveries and his knock included two fours and three gigantic sixes. The innings by the fast bowler rubbed salt into the wounds of the Aussies as he looked solid during his time at the crease.

In a chat after the match on BCCI.tv, the duo spoke about its partnership. Axar questioned the pacer, "Aaj hamare sath Nagpur se aaye Mr Lala, itna confidence se aaye, kya soch rhe the (Today, we have Mr Lala [Mohammed Shami] from Nagpur, what were you thinking?)."

Of vital partnerships 🤝, smashing sixes 💥 and ice-cool attitude 🧊

Presenting post-match Nagpur Tales with @akshar2026 and @MdShami11 👌🏻👌🏻 - By @RajalArora

FULL INTERVIEW 🔽 #INDvAUS | #TeamIndia https://t.co/SZK9d5RfVr pic.twitter.com/dEbmhrCBjg

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 12, 2023

Shami replied, "Kuch nhi yaar, aap vahan batting kar rhe toh mera ek hi role tha ki jitni der ho sake vahan rukho. Patience dikhaye but nhi ho rha tha (Nothing, you were batting, my role was to stay as long as possible and show patience but I could not)."

Axar then added that, "Mein aapko bole jaa rha hu thande hojao, eyes rakh lo, mein jab bola eyes rakh lo aapne chakka maara, mein fir bola eyes rakh lo aapne chakka maara (I kept telling you to calm down. I told you to show patience, you hit a six. I again told you the same thing, and you again hit a six)." Shami replied by saying, “Ego hurt ho gya tha (My ego got hurt)."

On Friday, February 17, the second Test of the series gets underway in New Delhi. The Australians may encounter additional difficulties as the Delhi wicket might also end up assisting spinners.

For a better experience: Download the CricTracker app from the IOS App Store and Google Play Store