Ryan Harris can relate with Mohammed Shami getting leaner to regain his mojo

The former Australian cricketer and current bowling coach of the Kings XI Punjab Ryan Harris spoke about the benefits of shedding the extra weight and what a ‘leaner’ physique brings to the table for any pacer. Harris, who had himself battled weight and injury issues during his days in the Australian cricket brigade can relate to Mohammed Shami who lost a significant amount of weight recently and got back his fitness. 

The KXIP pacer Shami is back in form right ahead of the World Cup as he is drastically recovering his fitness levels. Having dropped around 8 kgs, the 28-year-old Indian pacer has been able to bowl with the desirable pace consistently. Previously injury-prone, now Shami has spent over the last 12 months without getting injured, and that has improved his numbers yet again in the limited overs format.

Harris heaps praise for the Indian bowling attack

Ryan Harris, whose career was cut short due to a chronic knee injury, is happy with Mohammed Shami’s success over the last 18 months including the time the Indian played in Australia. “I don’t have to work much on him, he does it himself. He has been outstanding around the (KXIP) group, talking about plans, talking to me. Most guys want to pick his brains. If not the best, he is one of the best bowlers in the world at the moment,” Harris was quoted as saying by TOI.

The former Australian Test cricketer played an instrumental role in the longer format donning the baggy green in the 2013/14 season of the Ashes. However, his career ended when he underwent knee surgery in 2014, following which he announced retirement.

Stating that he can relate to Shami’s situation, Harris added, “The first couple of days I met him (at KXIP camp), he told me how he improved his fitness and dropped 7-8kgs. How he did some training in hot conditions in Chennai, making him lose weight rapidly.

“Knowing myself as well who went through a stage where I was a little heavy, it makes a big difference when you are not carrying that extra bit of weight. You can go longer (in your spells) and it is easier on your joints. He is bowling with good pace and good consistency and it is good to see that.” 

Together Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah were the chief architects during the Test series against Australia last year. The former Australian pacer also held this Indian bowling attack up high. “They (Shami and Bumrah) work well together. You have got Bumrah, who is a bit different and got pace and attacks whereas Shami can just come in and ball stump to stump and does a fantastic job. It is pretty well rounded Indian attack, you have to say,” Harris further added.

Here’s KXIP full squad for the IPL 2019:

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