IPL 2019: Ravichandran Ashwin Has Given Me the Full Freedom – Mohammed Shami
Apr 24, 2019 at 5:55 PM
The Team India fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who is currently partaking in the IPL 2019, has hailed his Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), skipper Ravichandran Ashwin for showing trust in him. Shami has made decent progress in the white-ball cricket in the recent past. The prominent bowler Shami reiterated that it has been an advantage for him, to play under Ashwin
The skillful bowler has praised Ashwin’s leadership. He added the freedom has allowed him to give his best in the Twenty20 fold. So far, in 10 games, Shami has snared 13 scalps for KXIP in the ongoing 12th edition of the IPL.
The 29-year-old Shami revealed skipper knows him well as a bowler and skills respectively.
He added Ashwin plays a significant role in the field apart from setting up the fielding.
“The best thing is that he knows me very well and also my skills. He has given me the full freedom and compliments me very well on the field as a captain with field settings and on other aspects,” Shami told First Post.
In the 2015 World Cup Shami has scalped 17 wickets before missing out the ODI circuit for well over two years.
The Bengal-based right-arm fast bowler was marred by injuries. It further saw him making a strong comeback before breaking into the 2019 World Cup squad.
In the concurrent year, Shami has bagged 19 wickets in 11 games so far which subsequently earned him a spot in the 15-member squad for the twelfth edition of the World Cup scheduled in England and Wales.
Mohammed Shami hopeful for the World Cup show:
He maintained their focus is to bowl according to their strength. Shami added India has done well with the ball and they would like to continue at the pace to make it count in the major event.
“Regardless of conditions and pitches, the most important thing is to maintain a good line and length. Also, we have been quite successful as a bowling unit lately and it’s important for us to follow our set plans for continued success,” added Shami.
While working hard on his fitness, Shami is keen to contribute to the Men in Blue in the UK. He has expressed satisfaction with the way he has shaped himself up since past one year.
“I have worked very hard on my fitness in the last 12 months. I have lost a lot of weight. So I have made a lot of changes. As far as bowling improvements are concerned, I strongly believe that we need to constantly work on it,” Shami added.
Earlier, Shami’s services were availed by KXIP in INR 4.8 crore during the IPL Players’ Auction in Jaipur.
Meanwhile, KXIP will face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on April 24 at Bengaluru. So far, Punjab-based franchise has won five matches out of 10 games. They’re listed fifth on the IPL points table with 10 points under their belt.