'Team won’t suffer even if one big name retires' - Mohammed Shami hails India's bench strength

The past 3-4 years witnessed many young players rising through the ranks and finding a place for themselves in the Indian cricket team. The India tour of Australia was truly a testament to India’s bench strength as the four-match Test series in Australia saw the visitors playing without the services of many of their main pacers.

Ishant Sharma hadn’t travelled with the team to Australia as he was undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy after suffering an injury during IPL 2020. Mohammed Shami suffered a fracture in his bowling arm during the first Test match in Adelaide while Umesh Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah also had to sit out after sustaining injuries in the second and third Test match respectively.

Despite the absence of the senior players, India scripted history by retaining the Border Gavaskar Trophy after defeating Australia by 2-1. Seamers like Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, and T Natarajan were included in the side and all of them grabbed the opportunity provided to them by both hands. 

Pace sensation Mohammed Shami seemed impressed with India’s formidable bench strength and believes that the team won’t suffer if any of the big names retire in the coming times as the youngsters are ready to carry forward the legacy.

“The youngsters will be ready to take over from us when our time (to retire) comes. The more they play, the better they will get. I think the transition will be very smooth whenever we are done with the game,” the 30-year-old said as quoted by India Today.

“The team won’t suffer even if one big name retires. The bench is ready. Experience is always required and the youngsters will have that in due time. The trend of carrying net bowlers in the bubble environment has helped them massively and given them valuable exposure,” he added.

Beating Australia in Australia is a big achievement, says Shami

Further in the interaction, Shami hailed all the young rookies saying that beating Australia in Australia shows their character and also gives relief to the Men in Blue as they can now rely on the younger players. “Whoever comes in has an open mind, talks frankly, and is supremely confident. They are ready to bowl with the new ball or old ball. The way they performed in Australia shows their character.

“Beating Australia in Australia once is a very big achievement, we were able to do it twice, that too with no senior bowlers around. It has shown we can rely on the youngsters,” Mohammed Shami concluded.