Mohammed Shami has opined that it is important for India to have him and Jasprit Bumrah in the team for the upcoming Test series against England. The pacer’s remarks come a day after reports claimed that the selectors were unwilling to include the veteran in the squad. The squad for the five-match Test series will be announced by Gambhir and Agarkar via a press conference at 12.30 PM on Saturday.
Shami wants to go to England
In an interview with Times of India, Shami said that India needed Bumrah and himself in England, noting that leading the bowling unit was important.
“The important thing to see is how the team is formed and what combinations are made. So in that sense, mera aur Bumrah ka rahna zaroori hai (it’s important for me and Bumrah to be present on the England tour).Leading the bowling unit is important,” Shami said.
Shami has come under fire for being unable to bowl consistent lengths in IPL 2025. He has also failed to bowl high-paced deliveries. Speaking about his preparation for red-ball cricket, Shami said that he needs to increase his workload.
“I’m trying my best, doing hard work, performing strength exercises, attending practice sessions regularly, delivering maximum numbers of balls in the nets and managing my workload as much as possible. Red ball ke liye workload badhana padega (for red-ball cricket, the workload needs to be increased). The series is right after the IPL. There’s also an India ‘A’ series. So, it is hectic for everybody,” Shami said.
As per The Indian Express, a BCCI source claimed that the selectors were unsure if Shami could bowl 10 overs a day. The source added that the selectors did not want to take any chances as as Test matches in England required a bowler to bowl long spells.
“Shami is bowling four overs in IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad but the board and selectors don’t know whether he can bowl more than 10 overs in a day. Test matches in England may demand longer spells from the pacers and we can’t take chances,” a source in the board said.
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