IPL 2020: Charl Langeveldt Impressed With Mohammed Shami's 'Work Rate'

Charl Langeveldt, former South African bowler and the bowling coach of Kings XI Punjab, has hailed Mohammed Shami’s exceptional work ethic, adding that his top-notch work is the reason behind his sustained success in international cricket.

Shami is one of the leading fast bowlers of the modern era and one of the major reasons for that is his increased focus on his fitness and training in the past few years. Shami, who is currently sweating it out in the KXIP nets for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, brings energy to the team, reckoned bowling coach Charl Langeveldt.

”It’s his work rate (that impresses me the most). From Day One he came here. He brings energy to the team. He sets the standards when it comes to training. That is the key for me. He has been exceptional when it comes down to training. No complaints. He manages his workload very well. He can assess his own bowling. I think his work rate sets an example for younger bowlers,” Charl Langeveldt told IANS in an exclusive interview from the UAE.

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‘Mohammed Shami is exceptional’- Charl Langeveldt

Charl Langeveldt also touched upon the need to manage the workload of the bowlers in the lead-up to the competition, because they are coming back after a long layoff and also the temperatures in the UAE are pretty demanding.

The heat is bearable now. We had one or two-day practice sessions which were challenging. It has cooled down a bit, but not a lot,” Langeveldt said.

“For us, the key is to manage the workload. Typically in a tournament, per week bowlers would bowl around 80-120 balls. If they go higher, then it’s a concern so we try and monitor that… the amount of balls they bowl per week. We have been great with the fitness trainer. He gives us weekly feedback on the workload. So we assess that and then we go to practice accordingly.” he added.

Mohammed Shami was the leading wicket-taker for KXIP last year. The right-hander will once again serve as the leader of the attack in IPL 2020 but Charl Langeveldt is hoping that the young seamer like Ishan Porel, Arshdeep Singh, and others will rise to the challenge and provide ideal support to Shami from the other end.

“We have got a good bowling attack. Mohammed Shami is exceptional. He was the leading wicket-taker (for us) last time. So we got a good variety and that is the key. It is also important to have depth in your squad,” he said.

“You need your younger players also to be up to speed in terms of what we want to achieve as a bowling unit. Like an Ishan Porel… Arshdeep Singh, Darshan (Nalkande)… to work at the same level and make sure they are ready if there are injuries. They also have to play depending on the team balance. So for me the key is to get them match fit so that they can play in any condition,” said Langeveldt.

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