ENG v IND 2021: Mohammad Shami says he wasn't surprised with how quickly ball started to reverse

Shami was happy with India's bowling show and said they are in a good position in 1st Test.

By Rashmi Nanda - 05 Aug, 2021

The Indian team had a wonderful opening day of the first Test against England on Wednesday (August 4) and the bowlers yet again proved why they are labeled as one of the best attacks in the world by bundling the hosts out for 183 in the first innings at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.

Indian fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah (4/46), Mohammad Shami (3/28), Shardul Thakur (2/41), and Mohammed Siraj (1/48) bowled excellently on Day 1 of the first Test, as none of the England batsmen, except Joe Root (64), could tackle the relentless attack and failed to even came close 200 runs.

Read Also: ENG v IND 2021: Cricket fraternity reacts as Indian bowlers clean up England for 183; Bumrah takes 4/46

After the end of the opening day, Shami said he was not surprised with how quickly the ball started to reverse on the first day of the first Test at Trent Bridge.

He was happy with his team’s bowling efforts and also said the Indian cricket team is in a good position in the game after bowling England out for 183 in their first innings, but now they need to stay in control and build on from there. The pacer also said he backs his skills irrespective of the conditions.

Shami said during a virtual press conference on Wednesday, “No, I wasn't surprised (with how quickly the ball started to reverse). You maintain the ball, you keep on shining the ball and you keep on working on the ball. As a bowler, there is nothing surprising but as a bowler, if you want the ball to reverse, then you have to keep on working on the ball.”

At the stumps on Day 1 of the first Test, India's score read 21/0 with the tourists currently trailing by 162 runs against England while Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul will resume Day 2 on 9 and 9 respectively and Shami was happy with his team’s bowling show at Trent Bridge.

Read Also: ENG v IND 2021: ‘You can’t keep him out of playing XI’, Laxman critical of India’s decision to exclude Ashwin from 1st Test

The pacer added, “Obviously, we are in a good position and we should now build on it. Bundling out a team for 183 is a gettable target. We have to focus on the first hour tomorrow, we need to focus and it does not matter that 183 runs are in front of us, we just need to focus.”

He signed off by saying, “We need to see out the first hour tomorrow, it is important to not lose wickets and stay in control. The main focus would be to reach 183 first. I always try to believe in my skills, I make plans according to the conditions.”

(With ANI Inputs)

By Rashmi Nanda - 05 Aug, 2021

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