L’India ha optato per il fielding di Mohammed Shami per la serie India vs Inghilterra citando le preoccupazioni per la sua forma fisica
India scripted a come from behind 2-2 series draw in the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy. Shubman Gill’s side showed grit and determination as Mohammed Siraj and Co took home the plaudits. The tour saw India often struggle with their bowling, with Mohammed Shami ignored for selection for the series.
Mohammed Shami on fitness and England tour snub
Mohammed Shami starred in India’s run to the World Cup final in 2023 but has struggled with fitness since. The Indian pacer underwent surgery and missed more than 12 months of action, only returning early this year. And while Shami featured in the IPL, he was ignored for the England tour, with concerns around his bowling fitness. Shami admitted that he had a little discomfort before the England series, which led him to miss out on the entire tour.
“I had the same issue during the Australia series as well. I was ready to travel but had a little discomfort. Personally, I think a player should take a step back if you cannot fulfill the team’s demands. There is no shame or nothing wrong with taking a step back and then move forward. In any sport, we tend to push our bodies to the limit which ends up with an even bigger penalty in the future,” Shami told News24.
The India pacer played the 2023 World Cup with injury, but decided not to risk it for a bilateral series.
“I played 2 World Cups with a lot of pain, and had to give up a lot of time for it. For a World Cup, the team needs you to push yourself, but you should be wary putting unwanted push on the body. For a normal series, if you feel discomfort, then I think one should talk to the team management,” he added.
Close matches hurt: Shami on Lord’s defeat
While Mohammed Shami was not in England, he followed the action closely from home. The 34-year-old cheered on the Shubman Gill led side as they clinched a 2-2 draw in the 5-match series. Did he miss being part of the matches? Would he have done something different in those defeats? While he admitted missing the action, he said the bowlers deserved credited for the fight throughout the tour.
“I felt it once or twice (on whether he should have been in England), but credit to the boys. It was a new team, a lot of new faces and the way they played deserves praise. We lost 2 matches we could have won, so they deserve the plaudits for their performance throughout the series. It hurts during close games, like the 22-run defeat at Lord’s, but it is the same for every player,” Shami said.
