India and Punjab Kings (PBKS) pace bowler Mohammed Shami said that the now-suspended Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) helped him get his “rhythm back” after a long injury layoff and believes that Team India will have a great summer because of their recent form.
Shami missed India’s memorable Test series wins over Australia and England at home before returning in the IPL 2021 after he was hit on the elbow by a delivery from Australia’s Pat Cummins while batting in the first Test in Adelaide in December 2020 and eventually, ruled out of action for the four months.
On his return to action for the Punjab Kings (PBKS), the experienced speedster managed eight wickets in as many matches before the IPL 14 was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He is now looking forward to playing in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand starting on June 18 in Southampton followed by a five-match Test series against England in August-September, saying India played some extraordinary cricket in recent times and it will give them immense confidence to be successful in the upcoming Tests.
Read Also: I would like to share any input that the youngsters may want- Mohammad Shami
Shami told Gulf News: “We have played some extraordinary cricket in recent times as a unit and naturally, the confidence level is high on the eve of our departure for England. If we can reproduce some of the form which we did over the last six months, I am confident it will be a great summer for us.”
However, the 30-year-old said he doesn't over-think about his bowling and planning in the times of the COVID-19 pandemic on being asked about his strategy for the upcoming grueling series in England.
Insisting he hasn’t set any targets for the upcoming Test tour of England next month, Shami said, “I do not believe in overthinking about what my approach will be. I found my rhythm back in the IPL and the rest, of course, depends on the conditions.”
The pacer further added, “See, there is no point in planning too much as certain things are not in our control. Who would have thought that the pandemic would virtually destroy two years of our lives – hence I prefer to take it by each series or tournament as the case may be.”
Shami, who now needs just 20 wickets to become the fifth India pacer to reach 200 wickets in Test matches after Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan, and Ishant Sharma, said he wants to share the tricks of his trade with the younger generation as he wouldn’t be there forever.
He signed off by saying, “It comes automatically as after being in international cricket for so many years, I would like to share any input that the youngsters may want. I am not going to play forever, so it will be great if I can pass on something to the youngsters.”
(With PTI Inputs)
