As Gautam Gambhir starts his role as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team, important decisions are expected regarding the future of some experienced players. Players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja have already stopped playing T20 international cricket, and there are other players whose place in this shortest format is being discussed. One of these players is Mohammed Shami, who is available to play in all three formats but hasn’t been a top choice for T20Is recently. India’s former bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, has suggested that Gambhir and his yet-to-be-confirmed coaching team should quickly work with Shami to discuss his future.
“The team members need to speak with Shami and understand his plans. He isn’t young anymore, so where does he belong and for how many more years does he plan to play? How can we use him wisely? I believe whoever works with Gauti [Gautam Gambhir] will figure out how to make the most of Shami,” said Mhambrey, who was India’s bowling coach when Rahul Dravid was the head coach, in an interview with The Telegraph Online.
Shami has had trouble with injuries in the past year. He was India’s top bowler in the 2023 ODI World Cup but hasn’t played for India since the final match against Australia.
“If the main goal is to perform well in the upcoming series in Australia, we need to ensure he’s in top condition. However, what Shami wants and what his body can handle is crucial. He’s had a long break, so some cricket practice before the Australia tour is necessary,” Mhambrey stated.
“Everyone’s fitness level is different and can’t be the same. Therefore, players need to be treated individually. You can’t compare Shami to a new young player. We need to recognize Shami’s worth. Do we need Shami to do the Yo-Yo test or bowl a lot of balls in a Test match to help India win?” he further explained.
Shami is one of the best fast bowlers India has had in recent times. With the Champions Trophy and the Test Championship coming up, he might be very important for coach Gambhir’s strategies.
