India speedster Mohammad Shami’s confidence is sky high after doing well in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) in UAE.
Playing for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), Shami claimed 20 wickets in the tournament from 14 games at an average of 23 and an economy rate of 8.57.
Thanks to this performance, the right-arm pacer is in the “right zone” which is allowing him to prepare for the marquee Test series against Australia “without any pressure”.
“My performances for KXIP in IPL has given me a lot of confidence and put me in the right zone,” Shami told bcci.tv on Saturday (November 21).
“The biggest advantage is that I can now prepare for the upcoming series without any pressure. There is no burden on me. I am very comfortable at the moment.
“I had worked hard on my bowling and my fitness in the lockdown. I knew that IPL would take place sooner or later and I was preparing myself for it.”
Shami also made it clear that Test matches are a priority for him on this tour as he is trying to get into the groove during the training session over last one week.
“We are going to have a long tour starting with the white ball followed by pink and red ball Tests. My focus area has been the red ball and I am working on my lengths and seam movement.
“I have always felt that once you start pitching the ball at the lengths you desire, you can succeed in different formats.”
Shami feels his white ball form is in control post IPL and thus he requires more preparation with red ball.
“What you need is control. I have done well with the white-ball and now spending time in the nets bowling with the red ball. You don’t bowl in the same area since both formats are different but your basics don’t change much.”
Cricket pundits believe India will face a stern test in Australia this summer due to the presence of Steve Smith and David Warner.
Under Kohli’s leadership, India won their maiden Test series on Australian soil in 2018-19 but Smith, Warner were serving their 12-month ball-tampering ban at that time.
However, Shami is hardly perturbed by their presence.
“India have quality batsmen and we bowl at them in the nets. We don’t look at names, we focus on our skills. You can be a world-class batsman, but one good ball will still get you out,” the paceman said.
“Our fast bowling group can bowl at 140 kph plus and you need that kind of pace in Australia. Even our reserves are quick, you don’t get to see that kind of an attack.”
“There is a healthy competition but there is no rivalry within the group. If you look at the numbers, we have managed to pick 20 wickets almost on all our away tours,” he further remarked.
