The Indian fast bowler, Mohammed Shami has come in support of his teammate, Ishant Sharma after the senior pacer managed to churn out a lackluster performance on Day 2 of the 3rd Test against England at Headingley. After bowling out India for 78, England piled up the runs on Thursday at Headingley, ending the day on 423 for 8 with a commanding lead of 345 runs.
Ishant Sharma bowled 22 overs and he was the only Indian bowler to finish without a wicket. Ishant conceded 92 runs at a poor economy of more than 4 runs per over. Former cricketers, including Ajit Agarkar, questioned Virat Kohli’s decision to open the bowling with Ishant Sharma on Day 1. Kohli still continued with his senior-most pacer, giving him the opening spell on the second day as well. However, Ishant was not able to repay the captain’s faith in him.
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Talking about the same, Mohammed Shami said, “See when sometimes the ball doesn’t come well off the bowler’s hands or if the team has been on the field for a long time, the captain starts giving short spells of 3-4 overs. You don’t need to bowl 7-8 over spells consistently in Test matches.”
He further added, “You must have seen that Ishant started the innings and ended it as well. So, there are no doubts about his fitness. It’s just that the captain has to see which bowler needs recovery, how many overs to give, how many short or long spells to give. It’s the captain’s call and not the bowler’s.”
Despite a couple of Indian shoulders dropping, Mohammed Shami was the pick of the bowlers as he scalped the wicket of Rory Burns, Jonny Bairstow, and Jos Buttler, giving India crucial breakthroughs throughout Day 2.
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Stressing that it’s important to blow with intensity, Mohammed Shami said, “It’s your responsibility that, even when a big partnership develops, you should not put your head down. It’s your job. You have to try and take that wicket. You have to keep planning in your mind how to get the batsman out. There are lots of things that can be tried. If you put your head down, the partnership will only become stronger and bigger.”
