Mohammed Shami looked right up and raised his hand pointing towards the sky, thanking the almighty for allowing him to once again shine for India, while at one stage during his year-long recovery period, doubts had crept in about his return to international cricket. But his five-wicket haul in India’s win over Bangladesh in their Champions Trophy opener on Thursday showed that the veteran pacer hasn’t lost his wicket-taking abilities.
Shami’s liking for the ICC tournaments, which saw him take 24 wickets in the 2023 ODI World Cup before getting injured, was on show at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where his 5 for 53 set up India’s win, before Shubman Gill took over with his 101 not out.
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“In ICC events, I don’t care about getting hit…I just go for wickets. I don’t care about the economy rate at all,” said Shami after India’s six-wicket win.
“I spent eight hours (a day) at the NCA (National Cricket Academy during his recovery after ankle surgery). I had the hunger. Unless and until you have hunger, you cannot achieve your goal,” Shami said at the post-match press conference.
Shami led India’s bowling attack to dismiss Bangladesh for 228.
His return to international cricket came before the Champions Trophy, featuring in two T20Is and two ODIs against England at home.
“It was tough after 14 months, the comeback. It pinches, it hurts. I got the opportunity to practice in domestic (cricket) that resulted in such a performance,” he added.
“After winning, you stay in full confidence. Mindset will remain the same against Pakistan. No problem at all.”
India take on archrivals Pakistan on February 23 in Dubai.
During the match against Bangladesh, Shami achieved a milestone by becoming India’s highest wicket-taker in 50-over ICC tournaments. The 34-year-old pacer took his tally to 60 wickets, surpassing Zaheer Khan’s record. Zaheer had claimed 59 wickets in 32 innings, while Shami took just 19 innings to surpass his senior.
His ODI World Cup performance spans three editions, accumulating 55 wickets, with 24 of those coming in the 2023 tournament on home soil.
Recording his sixth ODI five-wicket haul, Shami now also holds the record for the most five-fors by an Indian bowler in ODIs.
