'Shami is the leader of the pack right now' - Lakshmipathy Balaji on importance of veteran pacer for India's chances in CT 2025

The Indian team is set to start their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. There are already talks going around about the squad and the players who have been picked in the tournament. One of the major factors the fans and experts are talking about is the pace attack of the Indian team.

The absence of Jasprit Bumrah is a major blow for the Indian team but they still have a world-class bowler in Mohammed Shami who will most likely lead the attack. But there are still questions about his fitness and whether he will get back into rhythm in the tournament since he is just about making a comeback after an ankle injury.

Former India pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji shared his insights on this matter, saying that it is important for Shami to come good for the team and also mentioned how he carried the Indian bowling before Bumrah came on to the scene.

“Actually, he had out-bowled Bumrah in the 2019 (50-over World Cup) and in the last World Cup (2023). Bumrah is the champion bowler across formats, But Shami has experience and, before Bumrah’s arrival, it was Shami who carried India’s attack all through,” Balaji said as quoted by The Indian Express.

“I think it’s very important. If India has to do well, then Shami has to come good with the new ball. The kind of impact he can make in his first six overs with the new ball, it will play a crucial role for India. Old ball is anyway…it is a defensive game now. If he can make early inroads regularly that will give a huge booster to India," added Balaji.

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Balaji also mentioned Mohammed Shami’s injury and said that even though he might be taking a bit of time to recover he still has faith in the 34-year-old seamer to come back stronger going forward and prove that he is the leader of the pack among the young pacers in the team.

“Since that (ankle) injury has happened, there was a little bit of slowness, maybe. It’s natural. But there is nothing you can do about it. It’s part of any sportsperson’s career. He has the experience to get over it and he will do it as he bowls more. It’s just about accepting the (physical) condition and continuing his best practices,” said Balaji.

“Shami is the leader of the pack right now. I mean, he has been the leader of the pack for a long time now. If you see what Shami has done in 12 years of cricket and, especially, in Test cricket, it has been humongous. Now, if he starts striking with the new ball the confidence it gives to other bowlers will be huge,” Balaji concluded.