Mohammad Shami will turn out for Kings XI Punjab in the upcoming IPL season.
It is learnt that the support staff, led by head coach Ravi Shastri, as well as the players who won’t be part of IPL play-offs, will reach Australia directly by the end of October or the first week of November while the others will join the bio-secure bubble down under after completing their IPL commitments.
The IPL 2020 is slated to be held in UAE from September 19 to November 10. On the other hand, India is likely to begin the Australia tour with a T20 series followed by four Tests and ODIs.
"It would be great that the Australia-bound players are playing IPL. It will set the body and momentum perfectly by then," Shami told PTI in an exclusive interaction.
Australia’s leading batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner were not part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2018-19, which India won by 2-1. The pair was serving 12-month bans for their involvement in the infamous ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.
Smith and Warner’s presence would make the series even more exciting this time and Shami said everyone is focused on the tour.
"I feel it's better that we are playing IPL before a big series. Apart from IPL, everyone is also focused on that tour (Down Under). There is a lot of talk about that series. We will have a good contest."
The 13th edition of IPL will be held across three venues in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah over 53 days.
Shami feels unlike in India where they have to fly all over the country for away matches, the IPL in UAE would be less hectic.
"Yes, there're back-to-back matches, training, travelling that's a bit of headache. But it's a short format, short matches, physically there should not be any workload issue. This time, there won't be much travelling. You will have to travel just about two hours by bus (when there is a match in Abu Dhabi)."
With Ravichandran Ashwin joining Delhi Capitals, KXIP’s bowling responsibility will be shouldered by Shami and he is looking forward to the challenge.
"I always try to stand up to the role and give my 100 percent. I will bowl as per the situation depends...
"Obviously being the strike bowler, it's important to take the key wickets it gives a big relief to the team," the seasoned pacer said.
(With PTI inputs)