We Like Pulling Each Other’s Leg, But Jasprit Bumrah Doesn’t Joke Around Much - Mohammed Shami

Senior pacer Mohammed Shami speaks about the bond between India’s pace bowling cartel, which is regarded as the best group of pacer the country has ever assembled.

On the back of sublime collective bowling performances, India registered historic series triumphs in Australia on their last couple of trips.

Spearheaded by fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, the group included veteran pacers Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini, and T Natarajan the recent entrances who were part of the victory in Australia a few months ago.

Mohammed Shami reveals that while all the other pacers joke around with each other, Jasprit Bumrah is more of a serious character, and doesn’t indulge too much in leg-pulling.

“We like pulling each other’s leg. I enjoy it. Bumrah is slightly different, he doesn’t joke around much. He sometimes takes it to heart. But Umesh, Bhuvi and Ishant – we are a deadly combination,” Mohammed Shami told Cricbuzz.

The main thing is we all like to attack: Mohammed Shami

While they have different styles, lengths, and pace of bowling, but, Mohammed Shami says, everyone is looking to attack the batters, and prise out their wicket, as 20 wickets are the requirement to win a Test match, no matter the run the batsmen put on the board.

The 30-year-old talks about the relationship and understanding between each another, and how one is always keen to help his fellow mates.

“We’ve been playing as a unit for few years now. Whoever we is bowling with, our aim is to leave the other (bowling from the other end) with enough attacking options. If you aren’t liking the way the ball is acting, be defensive and let the other attack. The main thing is we all like to attack. Neither of us likes to be defensive. Whoever is at mid-on, he must maintain the ball. This is something that I repeat in every meeting,” the seamer further added.

The Indian team is expected to leave on June 2 for the UK for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand and the subsequent 5-Test series with Joe Root’s side.

Mohammed Shami, who has 180 Test wickets in 50 matches, is making his return to the national team after being away from the side following his wrist injury in the first Test in Adelaide. He missed the rest of that series, and the home series against England as well. However, it remains to be seen if Virat Kohli and management go with the senior pacer or give the nod to in-form Mohammed Siraj.

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