Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has endorsed the Indian team management’s cautious approach in not rushing Mohammed Shami back into international cricket during the first T20I against England in Kolkata, following his extended injury absence.
Despite demonstrating his fitness through practice sessions and domestic matches for Bengal, Shami was not selected for India’s first T20I against England on Wednesday.
The anticipation surrounding Shami’s comeback after a 14-month injury absence was high, but India’s strategic choice of fielding three spinners proved successful. The bowling unit restricted England to 132 runs, and India achieved the target comfortably in 12.5 overs, losing only three wickets.
According to Irfan, Shami possesses sufficient experience to evaluate his physical condition accurately.
“When you’ve been such a seasoned campaigner and are among India’s top 10 bowlers, you understand your body’s limits well,” said Irfan at a promotional event.
“Shami always provides honest feedback to the team management, and decisions are made through mutual communication. Recovery at the highest level takes time, especially after playing consistently. I believe he and the team management will make the right call at the right time.”
After undergoing surgery and rehabilitation for an ankle injury sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he emerged as India’s leading wicket-taker, Shami has made an impressive comeback in domestic cricket, representing Bengal across all three formats.
Shami has now been named in India’s white-ball squad for the series against England, featuring five T20Is and three ODIs. This series will serve as preparation for the Champions Trophy next month, with the team’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, awaiting clearance based on his fitness.
Bumrah sustained a back niggle during the five-match Test series in Australia and was unable to bowl in the second innings of the fifth Test in Sydney. In this context, Shami’s availability for the Champions Trophy becomes vital to India’s chances.
Irfan also voiced concerns about the absence of a pace-bowling backup in the Champions Trophy squad, suggesting that Mohammed Siraj could have been a valuable inclusion given Bumrah’s uncertain fitness status.
“You need a backup pacer. Siraj could have been a good option. In Dubai, playing four spinners isn’t viable. With Bumrah and Shami returning from injuries, it won’t be easy for them straight away,” he observed.
“A pacer like Siraj would have filled that gap. That said, we hope the selectors’ choices perform well, and we should back them,” he added.
Irfan also commented on the poor form of senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during India’s 1-3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, marking their first series loss in a decade.
He urged fans not to equate the duo’s struggles in Tests with their potential in white-ball cricket, emphasizing their proven capabilities in the shorter formats.
“They’ll start scoring runs in white-ball cricket; there’s no doubt about that,” Irfan said.
“Test cricket is a different ball game altogether. Adjustments are needed, whether it’s Virat managing deliveries outside the off-stump or Rohit finding his rhythm. ODI is their favourite format, and they’ll bounce back strongly.”
Reflecting on India’s resilience during the 2003-04 tour of Australia, Irfan shared an inspiring anecdote, highlighting the team’s determination and fighting spirit in challenging conditions.
“Back then, Dean Jones visited our dressing room and mentioned how outsiders thought our team environment was broken. But we showed unity on the field and drew the series 1-1. Indian cricket is always above individual concerns,” he asserted.
Irfan also stressed the importance of domestic cricket, urging players to participate regularly.
“It’s about playing domestic cricket but do not play a couple of matches just for the sake of it and show that you’ve played.
“Playing regularly benefits both players and Indian cricket. For young players, competing against the likes of Kohli or Rohit at the domestic level can be a tremendous confidence boost as they would also raise their levels to bowl to them. Ultimately, Indian cricket gains from this,” he added.