'You should simply play on your skills' - Mohammed Shami plays down Jos Buttler scare ahead of Qualifier 1

Mohammed Shami will lead the bowling attack for the Gujarat Titans in the upcoming Qualifier 1 of IPL 2022 against Rajasthan Royals at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday (May 24). The right-arm quick has bowled some scintillating spells in the powerplay for his franchise and is the highest wicket-taker so far for Gujarat Titans this season. The 31-year-old has picked up 18 wickets in 14 games and has used all his experience so far in international cricket.

The conditions in Kolkata are cloudy and there are chances of rain intervening in the match as well which means that the fast bowlers will enjoy bowling. The ball tends to seam a lot in humid conditions and there is no better exponent than Shami when it comes to getting the new ball move with his brilliant seam position. He will have a stiff battle against Rajasthan Royal’s Jos Buttler who is currently the orange cap holder. Shami revealed his game plan for the English lad and said he’s not fussed about the dasher’s form.

I always believe in myself: Mohammed Shami

Shami noted the importance of not thinking about the opponent’s form and focus on the controllable factors like rest and sleep. He highlighted two factors, skillset and self-belief while confronting any batter and noted that he has followed it always against his opponents.

“Good rest, good sleep. Doesn’t matter. As a player, as a bowler, I don’t think that you should think that, who is the highest run-getter or the best batsman. You should simply play on your skills and have the belief. I always believe in myself and I don’t see the name at all. I believe in myself and my skills,” Shami said during the press conference ahead of Qualifier 1.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans finished at top of the points table in the league stages with ten wins in 14 games, thanks to a collective effort from the whole side marshalled by the new skipper Hardik Pandya. They now have two chances to make it to the finals of IPL 2022 as they finished in the top two places.