Kings XI Punjab’s (KXIP) premium bowler Mohammed Shami, who has a wealth of international experience on his back, maintained pacers must manage workload while considering the scorching heat in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
As the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is scheduled to commence with a lung-opener between IPL champions Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings on September 19, Shami further reckons that it won’t be easy conditions to go along in the UAE.
Fear of getting dehydrated: Mohammed Shami
Given the hot and humid conditions with temperatures expected between 36-40 degrees during the cash-rich league. Shami maintained that there’re chances of players getting dehydrated apart from experiencing a contraction of muscles.
“Temperature is much higher compared to India. There are chances of getting dehydrated. There will be chances of cramps. So we will have to keep those things in mind,” IANS quoted Mohammed Shami as saying.
Recently, the IPL was moved out of India due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. The 13th season of IPL will be played across three different cities of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Dubai.
Pertinently, the domestic T20 professional league was scheduled to begin on March 29 at iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
While observing the wickets in the UAE, which generally tends to be on the slower side – to help the spinners, Shami overall terms it as a difficult job.
The 30-year-old pacer Shami further clarified that complicated things could be handled and it shouldn’t be that problem.
“It will be difficult as the wickets here are also different. So workload management is important. But it is not that difficult that it can’t be managed. It depends on us how we manage our workload,” Shami added.
Mohammed Shami is overjoyed to start playing again:
Considering the lockdown in India, the KXIP’s premium pacer is maintained that fans should be delighted in India.
“In India, IPL should bring smiles to the faces of all,” Shami said further.
The prominent bowler Shami is also happy to be in Dubai to play the game he has loved dearly. He added that it is a great sight to see each and everyone doing their best on the field amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
“It felt great getting out of home and coming to Dubai. We are all grateful to play the game which we all love. So the feeling cannot be compared. The best part is that everyone is on the field and training,” Shami said, who is practicing hard for the impending competition.
Shami is aiming to do better and live up to the expectations of the team – as he is back with the KXIP camp – to nurse the youngsters too and inspire his KXIP team to maiden IPL trophy.
The senior campaigner had made his IPL debut in 2009. He had featured in 51 matches to snare 40 wickets at an average of 25.80 with his best figures of three for 21 which came in IPL 2019.