The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli has indefinite praise for the fast bowler Mohammed Shami. Addressing the media on the eve of the second Test match against South Africa, Virat shared what makes Shami different from other pacers in the Indian conditions. He also said that Shami doesn’t need to be pushed any more as “he understands the situation when he’s given the ball”.

Kohli said, “Now, he (Shami) is taking responsibility. We don’t need to tell him ”come on, you need to bowl this spell for us”. He wants the ball, he understands the situation when he’s given the ball. I think on the pitches we play, I don’t see anyone with so much seam movement apart from him (Shami). He is someone who can change the complexion of the match totally when you don’t see it coming. Especially, in the second innings, when the situations are difficult he comes in and does the job every time.”

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Virat said that each and every player puts the team first before themselves. He also added that Kuldeep Yadav is well aware of the team combination and respects team management’s decision of not playing him.

While the Indian team management has received a lot of criticism for not sticking to a specific team combination, the Indian skipper opined that whatever is done is to win games for the country.

Kohli elaborated, The only thing that matters to us is wanting to win as many games as we can and have been able to do that. We have the least losing percentage in the last three years and there is a good reason for that. We obviously are flexible but as I said it can’t be possible if the team doesn’t buy into it. The guys have bought into it.”

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The second Test of the series will be played at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, scheduled commence on Thursday.