Irfan Pathan has backed India’s choice to prolong Mohammed Shami’s intramural international career after a persistent injury layoff, stating that, according to the team’s coaching staff and the veteran pacer, everybody will make the “right call at the right time”. Shami, who passed a fitness test with flying colors in practice sessions and domestic cricket for Bengal, was expected to make a comeback into India’s playing XI during the first T20I against England here on Wednesday after 14 months of recovery.
Though the whole cricketing fraternity was eyeing Shami’s return after a long 14-month layoff, India did not chose him. The switch to three indirect strategists worked wonders and daydreamed England out for a mere 132 before easily crossing over with 12.5 overs to spare, seven wickets in hand.
Irfan said that Shami is matured enough to make an astute judgment concerning his body’s condition.
“Being such a veteran in the field and one of the top ten bowlers of India, you know very well what your body is capable of,” told Irfan in a promotional function here.
“The updates and usually the taboo are given honestly by Shami to the management team via an open communication that such a decision is OST made. Nevertheless, recovery at the highest caliber is quite tricky and takes time, especially after consistent playing. I am certain that both he and the team will be able to make such a critical decision at its appropriate course.”
After surgery and rehabilitation for the ankle injury he sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he finished as India’s leading wicket-taker, Shami made a strong comeback into domestic cricket at all levels playing for Bengal.
Shami has been selected in India’s T20 and ODI squads against England, consisting of five T20Is and three ODIs that will fortify the Champions Trophy next month, in which the team spearhead, with pacer Jasprit Bumrah needing to pass a fitness test.
Bumrah, with a niggle in his back during the tough five-match Test series in Australia, couldn’t bowl in the second innings of the fifth Test in Sydney, and Shami’s case becomes all the more relevant for the prospects of India in the Champions Trophy.
Irfan also expressed his concern about the absence of backup pace bowlers in the Champions Trophy-bound squad, suggesting that Mohammed Siraj could have been included due to the uncertainty surrounding Bumrah’s fitness.
“You need a backup pacer. Siraj could have been a good option. In Dubai, playing four spinners isn’t viable. With Bumrah and Shami returning from injuries, it won’t be easy for them straight away,” he added.
“A pacer like Siraj would have filled that gap. That said, we hope the selectors’ choices perform well and we should back them,” said Irfan.
Irfan was also cognizant of the poor form of senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during India’s 1-3 series defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy-India’s first series loss in a decade.
Irfan advised that the duo’s miserable showings in Tests should not be confused with their places in white-ball cricket. They will easily start scoring runs in the white-ball cricket since the very beginning, that too without doubt, Irfan said.
” Test cricket is indeed a whole new ball game. There will demanded certain adaptations whether it’s Virat managing deliveries outside the off- refuse or Rohit chancing his meter. It’s their favorite format, and they will bounce back strong.”
Recalling India’s fortitude from the 2003- 04 Australia stint, Irfan participated a motivating yarn.
” also Dean Jones had come to our dressing room and said others allowed
our team atmosphere was broken. But we showed balance on the field and drew the series 1- 1…