Kings XI Punjab’s (KXIP) key pacer Mohammed Shami has opined that it was tough for him to survive during the six-day quarantine in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) than the four to five-month break in India due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The speedster is raring to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) scheduled to begin from 19th September.
Mohammed Shami, along with his KXIP teammates, landed in the UAE on 21st of July, to follow the mandatory quarantine period as per BCCI’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). He was locked in the hotel room for six days and was not allowed to meet any outsider.
Speaking to ANI, Mohammed Shami asserted that the extended break was difficult for everyone. but he felt that the quarantine period in UAE was tougher for him. India’s premier pacer was practicing in his farmhouse in India during the four-month-long break.
On the other hand, during the isolation period in the hotel, he was not allowed to move outside which made him uncomfortable. However, now he has resumed training in Dubai and is happy to be back with the ball in hand
“Four months have been difficult for everyone, be it sportsman or a normal person. Thank god I had the facilities to do my own training. When we came here (UAE) and got quarantined, these six days felt more difficult than those four months.
“Because in those months I was training myself, helped the needy and was busy in activities. But in these six days, I have felt how difficult those four months must have been for people. Now it feels comfortable on the field,” Mohammed Shami said.
The body feels good and in rhythm: Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami also added that the training during the lockdown period has helped him to maintain his fitness. But he opines that some players, who were sitting in their home, are finding hard to get back in the rhythm.
“The training I have done (during lockdown) has helped now. The stiffness isn’t there and it has felt more like I took a break for recovery. The body feels good and in rhythm. The normal flow is missing in some.
“Those who played in the Caribbean Premier League are looking in flow, but those who have been stuck indoors are looking a little stiff. Important to use the 25 to 30 days going into the tournament,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the fixtures of the IPL 2020 are due to be announced. It is expected that BCCI will soon proclaim the schedule.