After a long absence with injury, Mohammed Shami returned to the India Cricket Team in the IND vs ENG T20I series. Now, the ace pacer will be heading to the ICC Champions Trophy. But, the job will be much tougher for the Bengal pacer. It is now high time for him to step up and lead the charge, in the absence of both Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
With no Bumrah and Siraj a non-traveling reserve, it is all up to Mohammed Shami to lead the charge. He is the senior-most pacer in the team and will be guiding the younger ones like Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh. Interestingly, Shami will also be supported by Hardik Pandya who will serve as the third pacer in the squad.
Time for Shami to lead the charge
Shami featured in the ODI World Cup Final in 2023. Following this he missed action for 14 months after undergoing surgery on his ankle. His recovery was halted after he picked up knee injuries while bowling during rehab. He played quite a few domestic matches and then made his return to the national team in the IND vs ENG series.
But it hasn’t been smooth sailing yet for him. It takes time for a player to get back into his best rhythm after such a major injury. But time is what he nor the Indian side has. Just 7 days remain for the start of the ICC Champions Trophy. And it is time for Shami to step up.
Shami was the highest wicket-taker in the ODI World Cup last time. And naturally, all eyes will be on him to lead the charge. His experience and guidance will be crucial for both Arshdeep and Harshit Rana to tackle the nerves as they play in such a huge ICC tournament.
India’s squad for ICC Champions Trophy
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Non Travelling Substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube.
