Ace pacer Mohammed Shami has thrived under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, proving his mettle during the ODI World Cup 2023. Initially not among India’s first-choice pacers, Shami’s fortunes changed when Hardik Pandya was sidelined due to injury. Rohit placed his faith in Shami, who responded brilliantly by claiming 24 wickets, making him the leading wicket-taker of the tournament.
However, since that high point, Shami has been out of action, recovering from an ankle injury. Now, the 34-year-old is in much better condition and is currently training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the horizon, Shami is eager to return to the field, but it won’t be an easy path.
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Rohit has emphasized the need for Shami to regain full fitness before heading to Australia, expressing concerns about bringing an underprepared player into such a crucial series. In light of this, Shami is doing everything possible to demonstrate his readiness, even expressing a desire to participate in a couple of Ranji Trophy matches to showcase his fitness.
Reflecting on his experience playing under Rohit, Shami highlighted the freedom the captain provides to his bowlers, which he believes is essential for optimal performance. The Amroha-born cricketer noted that Rohit understands how to maximize each player’s potential and recognizes their individual strengths.
“I hadn’t played much under Rohit earlier, but during the World Cup and a few other matches, I saw how he operates. A captain must give his players the freedom to perform, and Rohit excels at that. He knows which player can deliver in specific situations, and he understands each player’s capabilities well,” Mohammed Shami explained.
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Remarkably, Shami has played 32 international matches under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, taking 64 wickets at an impressive average of 22.34. As he works towards his comeback, both Shami and fans are hopeful he can return to his wicket-taking ways in the upcoming series.
