Team India might be staring at an innings defeat in the ongoing Headingley Test against England, but pacer Mohammad Shami on Thursday (August 26) said it hasn’t affected the visitors’ morale as there is a lot of time left in the five-match series.
"No, my friend, mentally (it does not affect), we have finished matches in three days, many matches we have finished in two days. Sometimes when we have a bad day or we get out early in a Test match in the first innings and we have to field for long.
"It happens sometimes, but there is no need to feel low, because still there are two Tests left,” Shami said in a virtual press conference after stumps on Day 2.
Opting to bat first, India got bowled out for a paltry 78 in the first innings of the third Test against England. None of the batsmen managed to touch the 20-run mark.
In reply, the hosts piled up a mammoth 423/8 at stumps on Day 2, extending their lead to a massive 345 runs. Skipper Joe Root once again led the charge with the bat, scoring a scintillating 121 – his third century in the ongoing series.
“And we are 1-0 up, so there is no need to think (negative), just one thing, believe in your skill, and back yourself,” Shami added.
According to Shami, who returned with figures of 3/87, it is the responsibility of the bowlers to take wickets.
“It is your responsibility when there is a long partnership from the opposition. It is your job, to take wickets, you have to plan in your mind on how to get the (batsman) out," he said.
All the Indian bowlers proved to be ineffective at Headingley. While pacers Jasprit Bumrah (1/58) and Mohammed Siraj (2/86) and Ishant Sharma (0/92) claimed three wickets between them, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja picked up 2 for 88.
(With PTI inputs)
