NEW DELHI: Former India pacer Laxmipathy Balaji has backed Mohammed Shami to lead India’s pace attack with distinction at the ICC Champions Trophy, set to begin on February 19 in Karachi. With India set to play all their matches in Dubai, Balaji believes Shami’s experience and skill will be crucial to the team’s success.
“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, now a reputed pace bowling coach, told PTI.
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With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable, Shami will have an added responsibility to make early breakthroughs. Balaji underlined the importance of a strong start with the new ball.
“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 will play a crucial role for India. The 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,” he added.
Concerns have been raised over Shami’s rhythm following his ankle injury, but Balaji expressed confidence in his ability to regain his optimal bowling speed.
“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,” he said.
Shami’s role in the tournament will extend beyond taking wickets, as he will also have to mentor younger pacers like Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana. Balaji emphasised that Shami’s extensive experience makes him an ideal leader.
“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,” he said.
Dubai, where India will play their matches, has historically provided some assistance to pacers. Balaji feels this could work in Shami’s favour.
“He keeps attacking the stumps, a quality that is very critical in a place like Dubai, where batsmen may get a little bit more assistance,” said Balaji.
Elaborating on Shami’s effectiveness with the new ball, Balaji pointed out the key strengths that make him a formidable bowler.
“Shami has one of the best wrist positions in the game, helping him bring all of his variations. See, conditions in Dubai will more or less be similar to India, so he just needs to follow his methods there,” he added.
Balaji further explained Shami’s ability to generate movement off the pitch, making him a constant threat to batters.
“What Shami does is hit the seam and move the ball off the deck. It is dangerous as batsmen will not be able to guess easily which way the ball is going to move. It also brings into the equation the LBWs and clean bowled dismissals. The away movement ensures that the slip cordon too will be in the mix,” said Balaji.
“And he also bowls closer to the stumps, which allows him to explore those subtle angles. So, he will always be among the wickets,” he added.
India will begin their campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on Thursday, with Shami expected to play a leading role in their quest for Champions Trophy glory.