IPL 2021: The Position Of Rajasthan Royals At The Halfway Mark Doesn't Really Count: Tabraiz Shamsi

South Africa spin bowler Tabraiz Shamsi said that Rajasthan Royals current position on the IPL 2021 point table doesn’t matter to him. Royals are currently placed in the fifth position on the points table, having won three of their seven matches under their new captain Sanju Samson.

Shamsi, who was signed by the Royals last month for the second phase of IPL, believes that the team is in a good position and can change the course of their standings in their remaining matches.

“I think whether the team is at the first spot or the fifth, the position at the halfway mark doesn’t really count. It’s what you do in the second half that matters,” Shamsi was quoted as saying in a press release, as reported by Firstpost. 

“So, I think we are in a good position right now and we have got half a tournament to play, so it depends on how we play the rest of the games,” he added.

It also means that you have an opportunity to get wickets in Sharjah: Tabraiz Shamsi

Shamsi is coming off fresh from the limited-overs tour against Sri Lanka, where he picked 12 wickets from the six matches he played. The left-arm unorthodox spinner thinks it will be a challenge for him to bowl in Sharjah.

“With reference to the conditions in UAE and the short boundaries in Sharjah, I think it is a challenge. But it also means that you have an opportunity to get wickets,” Shamsi mentioned.

“Sometimes, on grounds like that, a spell which goes for 35-40 runs can be a match-winning spell, whereas, in other games, a spell of 3 or 4 wickets can change a game. So, I think it’s not just about taking wickets,” added Shamsi. 

You understand that there are certain things you can’t control: Tabraiz Shamsi

Shamsi was named replacement for West Indies bowler Samuel Badree in the 2016 IPL season for Royal Challengers Bangalore. The South African leg-spinner played four matches in that season and after that never played any IPL match.

Shamsi revealed that not getting picked for IPL affected him for a time but he understood that it was something that wasn’t in his control and thus he focused on his game.

“In the past, when I was younger, it (not getting picked) did affect me a little bit. But as you grow older, you realize there are bigger things in life,” Shamsi said.

“You understand that there are certain things you can’t control, and I was certainly in that space. I feel like I just have to do my work, and if a team feels I can benefit them with my services, they would pick me like Rajasthan has, and I’m going to try my best to make sure that we win the competition,” he added. 

Rajasthan Royals will play against Punjab Kings on September 21 in Dubai.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Tabraiz Shamsi ‘Very Excited’ To Showcase His Skills On UAE Pitches