Will Be Trying My Best To Cross 200 Wickets Mark - Mohammed Shami Eyes Personal Milestone On England Tour

Senior India pacer Mohammed Shami is 20 wickets shy from the 200 wickets landmark in Test cricket. In 50 Tests, he has taken 180 scalps at an average of 27.58 and has been a crucial cog in India’s pace bowling cartel.

He is eyeing to break into the 200-wicket club in the upcoming tour of the UK which comprises of 6 Test matches –  the World Test Championship final versus New Zealand followed by a 5-Test series against England.

The Bengal pacer picked 16 wickets on the previous tour of England; he pledges to give his best this time to perform better than the 2018 tour, and help India record history.

“I haven’t targeted something like this but yes, I won’t give up on it on this tour because we will be playing 6 Tests over there. I should at least cross that milestone (of 200 Test wickets) on this tour because the conditions are good for bowling, I just need to use my skills well. I will be trying my best to cross the 200-wickets mark,” Mohammed Shami told Sports Tak.

Getting injured is a part of the game, I don’t think too much about it: Mohammed Shami

Although Mohammed Shami has been terrific for India in Tests, his place in the first-eleven may not be guaranteed as Mohammed Siraj has risen through the ranks – even keeping Umesh Yadav on the bench for the fourth home Test against England – after making his debut, replacing the injured Shami himself, on the tour of Australia.

The 30-year-old pacer missed the last three Tests against Australia and the series versus England after sustaining a hand fracture in the Adelaide Test. He made his return via the IPL 2021 for Punjab Kings and looked in his regular rhythm. Mohammed Shami speaks about the time he was injured and his perspective towards injuries.

“I don’t put too much pressure on myself when I get injured or when I’m not able to play because of some reason. Injuries are a part and parcel of the sport, you cannot run away from it. You have to be mentally strong.

“You should always look to move forward with your current form and rhythm. Before IPL 2021, I was at the NCA for 1.5 months where I bowled by heart out. Then I got good confidence from the IPL, settled into a good rhythm.

“I always try to work as much as I can on my rhythm and look to tighten my skill-set as much as possible. Getting injured is a part of the game, I don’t think too much about it,” he concluded.

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