Mohammad Shami acknowledged that operating as India's lone front-line pacer after coming back from an extended injury hiatus has been a heavy "responsibility" but said he is trying to regain his "rhythm" to suit the team's needs in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
In the absence of injured Jasprit Bumrah, Shami has shared the new ball duties with either Harshit Rana or Hardik Pandya.
While Rana is still a newcomer in the international circuit, Pandya is an all-rounder and delivering 10 overs in an ODI is not precisely his territory. Shami has so far claimed eight wickets in the showpiece tournament.
"I am trying to get my rhythm back and contribute more for the team. It is a responsibility when there are no two proper fast bowlers and I have to shoulder more responsibility," Shami said in a mixed zone interaction after India's semifinal victory over Australia here on Tuesday night.
Shami said his workload is heavier without Bumrah steaming in at the other end but he is trying to give more than a 100 per cent to the role.
"There is a load when you are the one main fast bowler and the other is an all-rounder. You have to pick wickets and lead from the front.
"I have become used to this load and am trying my best to make it easy for others and give more than 100 per cent," he said.
Shami was sidelined for over a year with an ankle injury that he sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The senior pacer said he is now ready to shoulder the responsibility of bowling long spells.
"The trust debate ends when you get selected in the team. I don't think that one should worry about his fitness too much. We just need to put in the effort and see how your body takes it. After all, we are labourers.
"I am now ready to bowl long spells. Short spells are anyways easy -- 6 balls or 12 balls -- and in limited-overs cricket it doesn't matter whether it's 10 or six overs," he noted.
Shami said it is an advantage for him that all of India's Champions Trophy matches are being held in Dubai.
"It has definitely helped us because we know the conditions and the behaviour of the pitch. It is a plus point that you are playing all the matches at one venue.
"The main thing is to gauge the conditions and know how the pitch behaves because you are playing at one venue and you can get to know it well," he said.
India will face the winner of the second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand in the title clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (March 9).
(With PTI Inputs)
