‘It's important to understand the team's needs’ – Mohammed Shami on being the second-choice bowler in Team India

The skills of India's pace maestro, Mohammed Shami, played a pivotal role in the team's triumphant victory over the formidable Australian side in the first ODI. Shami's remarkable bowling performance saw him scalping a magnificent five-wicket haul, conceding just 51 runs. This outstanding feat not only helped India restrict Australia to a modest total of 276 but also etched the right-arm pacer's name in cricket history with career-best figures. It marked a historic moment as he became the first Indian pacer at home to achieve a five-wicket haul in One Day Internationals (ODIs) since the legendary Zaheer Khan achieved this feat back in 2007.

However, despite his undeniable prowess, the 33-year-old has often found himself in a rotational role within the team, occasionally making way for the emerging talent of Shardul Thakur. In the first ODI against Australia, he earned his place in the starting lineup as Mohammed Siraj took a well-deserved rest. Speaking candidly at the post-match press conference, Shami displayed remarkable composure, asserting that he is unfazed by his intermittent presence in the playing XI. 

"This is a part and parcel of the game. It's important to understand the team's needs. It isn't possible that you'll always be part of the playing XI and team combinations. When we play regularly, someone or the other will have to sit out. There is no point being frustrated about it. Obviously, it's good if you're in the XI but it's also crucial to be understanding when on the bench. That role is also very important,” he humbly stated.

‘I don't think anyone should be burdened a lot’ – Shami on rotational policy within the Indian team

Furthermore, the Uttar Pradesh pacer lauded the pragmatic approach of the Indian team management, endorsing their astute rotation policy. He emphasized the need to prevent overburdening players in the run-up to the impending World Cup.

"The idea from the team management is to rotate according to the conditions and the situation, or depending on the opposition. They know how to handle it and if you see, the recent results have been quite good. The rotation is going smoothly and before the World Cup, I don't think anyone should be burdened a lot," Shami remarked.