Everyone together has been playing so much cricket, knows their job well: Mohammed Shami

Jasprit Bumrah stole the limelight in India’s 10-wicket win over England in the first ODI match at The Oval on Tuesday, July 12. He won the Player of the Match award for his record-breaking 6/19 spell. He overshadowed Mohammed Shami, who took three wickets while conceding just 31 runs in his seven-over spell. Shami highlighted how he and other Indian pacers bowled on the same length from the start and gave the best performance in the first match.

The 31-year-old pacer became the fastest Indian bowler to reach 150 wickets in ODI cricket, which he achieved in just 80 matches. He surpassed former ODI great Ajit Agarkar who had achieved this landmark in 97 matches. He also became the joint third-fastest bowler in the world to reach this milestone.

“As soon as we started, the ball was stopping and seaming, it became important for us to pick our areas and keep line and length in control. We played our best performance (in the first ODI); like the way a series has to be started, it set an example.”

“Everyone together has been playing so much cricket, so they instantly understand their job and what needs to be done. After I bowled the first over, it was clear that there will be some seam and swing. He (Bumrah) bowled on the same lengths and got good wickets. It makes life easy for bowlers, especially for the first change ones,” Mohammed Shami said in a video chat with bowling coach Paras Mhambrey on BCCI.tv.

I’ve become very comfortable with the team: Mohammed Shami after ODI return

Shami has impressive numbers in ODI cricket with 151 wickets in 80 matches at an average of 25.3 and an economy rate of 5.61. However, before yesterday’s match his previous ODI appearance had come against Australia in November 2020, and once again, he is missing India’s next ODI series against West Indies starting on July 22. When asked about his thoughts on ODI return, Shami said he was not thinking about the gap and is very comfortable with the team.

“It was not a small break but of three years. Nothing was going on in my head regarding the (long) gap. I’ve become very comfortable with the team; we travel together and have been playing together for like a decade now. Everyone knows their job and after playing so much cricket, if you come with a question mark in your mind, then I believe it’s not good,” Mohammed Shami added.