NEW DELHI: Seamer Mohammed Shami claimed career-best figures of 5/51 in India’s five-wicket victory against Australia in the opening one-day international in Mohali on Friday.
Shami took a break after the World Test Championship and skipped the two Tests and three one-day internationals in the West Indies.
“It was important to take that break because I had played back-to-back games continuously for 7-8 months.At the back of my head, I felt I needed a break for a series.”I discussed with coach (Rahul Dravid) and captain (Rohit Sharma) and took a break (from the West Indies series). But my break never seemed like a break for me because I have an elaborate training set-up at home (Sahaspur in UP’s Amroha) and I end up training more at home than when I am with the Indian team,” he stated after the match.
“When I was playing regularly, there must have been someone, who had to sit out and I wasn’t guilty. So you can’t feel low if you are sitting out because the team is winning,” a pragmatic Shami said when asked about the sporadic chances he has been getting in 50-over cricket of late.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will be the two front-line pacers for India when it competes at full strength in the 2023 World Cup, according to the team management.

However, Shami claimed that rotation is not a negative thing when you play so many matches back-to-back following his match-winning stats of 5 for 51.
“This is the team’s plan and it is important to stick with it. You can’t be always in the playing XI because a lot depends on the team combination,” Shami said.
“If you are playing, well and good and if you are not in the playing XI, then you should be supportive of those, who are playing. I think there is no point feeling low and I am ready to play the role the team gives me,” Shami said as he steered clear of anything that could be remotely controversial.
Shami was also asked if he approves of this rotation policy where he has to sit out.
“What you are trying to know is beyond my comprehension but obviously when you build a team, (the) coach has a role to rotate players and, based on the situation, it is decided,” Shami said with a wry smile.
Shami made it clear that rotation before a big event like the World Cup is a good thing.

“You have seen we have (had) got results due to rotation and I believe before the World Cup, you shouldn’t put too much workload in back-to-back games, and its going well and we are getting good results.”
Shami was asked if he did anything special to dismiss Steve Smith, but his answer was in the negative.
“Just tried to do my basics right and hit the top of off-stump and wait for the batters to make a mistake.”
The conditions were humid and Shami was used in small spells. Could it be a template going into the World Cup?
“It depends on the situation. How a partnership (is) going and how well you are bowling at that time. Sometimes, you end up bowling a six-over spell as well while sometimes you bowl only three overs.”
Shami admitted that heat does a play role.
“The heat does play a part and we are also human beings. It takes a toll on our bodies and on stamina. But when you have played international cricket for so long, it will not affect your fitness but it depends how much effort we are putting in,” he concluded.
(With PTI inputs)