Two years is long hiatus from limited-overs cricket and a fit-again Mohammed Shami is raring to go in the upcoming Champions Trophy in England, which will begin from June 1. Shami last played for India in a One-day International back in the 2015 World Cup, reported PTI.
“Two years is a long time to be out of ODI squad. In these two years, I have focused on my strength and fitness. I have also worked on my weaknesses. I have got leaner. I am hopeful that I can perform well in the upcoming Champions Trophy. I want to give my best shot,” Shami said after being named in the Champions Trophy squad.
Shami who plays for Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League, feels that games for his franchise will be great match practice in the tune up to the marquee event: “IPL is a good platform for me wherein I will be getting 8-10 matches before going to the international tournament.”
However the gangly pacer has featured in only five games and has had modest returns from them, picking up just two wickets. He also went wicketless in four matches.
Shami had words of praise for DD skipper Zaheer Khan and his insights, “Obviously, when you speak to former players, you get valuable tips. If you speak to Zaheer, there is something or the other that emerges,” he said.
Shami opined that the pace bowling quartet of him, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah ranks among the best in the business, “Our attack is one of the best in the world. We need to help each other out there in the middle. We would be certainly giving our hundred per cent and the rest is luck. Looking forward to Champions Trophy,” Shami said.
Defending champions India play their Champions League opener on June 4, where they will face arch-rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston.
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