Mohammed Shami Hopes To Reach Milestone Of 200 Test Wickets During England Tour

May 20, 2021 at 11:35 AM

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Mohammed Shami Hopes To Reach Milestone Of 200 Test Wickets During England Tour

Mohammed Shami has not played international cricket since suffering an injury in the Adelaide Test against Australia in December last year but the senior India pacer, who has recovered from a wrist injury, is confident of a good showing in England.

Winning the World Test Championship final and the 5-Test series in England is the ultimate goal but pacer Mohammed Shami is eyeing a major personal landmark as he prepares for the several months-long England tour. Mohammed Shami is just 20 wickets away from becoming the 5th India fast bowler to get 200 Test wickets.

India pacer Mohammed Shami has taken 180 wickets in his 50 Test matches (AP Image)
India pacer Mohammed Shami has taken 180 wickets in his 50 Test matches (AP Image)

Mohammed Shami Hopes To Cross The Milestone Of 200 Test Wickets In England Tour’s 6 Tests Including WTC Final

Mohammed Shami, 30, believes 6 Tests in England certainly give him a good chance to at least get to 200 wickets. He is an integral member of the much-improved Indian pace attack. India has picked as many as 6 fast bowlers in the 20-man squad named for the World Test Championship final and the England series. The right-handed bowler is likely to partner Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah if India opts for a 3-man pace attack in the WTC final.

“I haven’t targeted something like this but yes, I won’t give up on it on this tour because we will be playing 6 Tests over there. I should at least cross that milestone (of 200 Test wickets) on this tour because the conditions are good for bowling, I just need to use my skills well. I will be trying my best to cross the 200-wickets mark,” Mohammed Shami told Sports Tak.

India's Ishant Sharma
India’s Ishant Sharma (Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP)

Mohammed Shami has played 8 Tests in England and has managed only 21 wickets at an average of over 47.04. However, having toured England for Tests twice in the past, the experienced India pacer is hopeful of an improved outing there in pitches offering assistance to pacers.

Mohammed Shami Don’t Put Pressure On Himself When He Is Injured As Injuries Are A Part And Parcel Of Cricket

Mohammed Shami has not played for India since the Adelaide Test in December 2020. He was ruled out of the last 3 Tests against Australia due to a wrist injury he picked up in India’s 36-run collapse in the second innings of the first Test. He was also not part of the 4-Test series against England at home as he had not recovered from the injury.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami (Photo | PTI)
Indian pacer Mohammed Shami (Photo | PTI)

After having worked extensively on his rehab at the National Cricket Academy, the pacer returned to competitive action at Indian Premier League 2021 which was suspended mid-way due to the Covid-19 crisis. He picked up 8 wickets in as many matches for Punjab Kings and was looking to hit peak form before the tournament was postponed indefinitely on May 4.

“I don’t put too much pressure on myself when I get injured or when I’m not able to play because of some reason. Injuries are a part and parcel of the sport, you cannot run away from it. You have to be mentally strong,” Shami said.

“You should always look to move forward with your current form and rhythm. Before IPL 2021, I was at the NCA for 1.5 months where I bowled by heart out. Then I got good confidence from the IPL, settled into a good rhythm. I always try to work as much as I can on my rhythm and look to tighten my skill-set as much as possible. Getting injured is a part of the game, I don’t think too much about it,” he added.

Mohammed Shami along with his India teammates will quarantine in Mumbai for a 2-week period before leaving for the UK in the first week of June. The pacer has 180 Test wickets averaging 27.59 in 50 Tests.

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