Exclusive: Positive mindset is key to doing well in England: Md. Shami

Xtra Time Web Desk: Formidable Indian pacer Md. Shami sat down for an interview with Xtra Time today, where he discussed several matters, from the World Test Championship Final to the key to do well in England, and everything in between. Here are a few excerpts from the interview-

Q1: We’ll be seeing you in action at the World Test Championship Final, how are you preparing for that match specifically?

Shami: It’s always been the same for me, I always partake in sessions, the more you repeat something, the more you improve at it. Like it is said, the more your body gets used to it through repetition, the better. For batsmen, it is knocking, for bowlers, it is bowling deliveries. It improves and corrects your length and line. I previously had to practice in cities, I didn’t go to my hometown much, but now I have facilities here too. 

Q2: Living in these bio bubbles is getting very difficult for many people, why is this and what do you do when you’re in a bio-bubble?

Shami: It’s always been difficult as we’re not used to it, but such a situation has been created that it is necessary. See bio-bubbles are considered the safest, but now even that has been breached. It is still safe and secure in a way, athough very difficult; no matter how many movies you watch or how much you exercise or follow your routine, it is very difficult to be locked in a room, especially for a sportsperson. In India, we are very attached to others, we like being with friends, if we can’t it feels very difficult to be alone. Say for example, you don’t have permission to go to a particular floor also. It is the only option to carry on with cricket, though, so you have to do it.

Q3: We haven’t won a series in England since 2007, do you think this is our best chance to change that?

Shami:  That is a very difficult thing to say, because be it England or New Zealand or Australia, any of the top 3-4 teams, we are always in good competition in all formats. But England is a place where we haven’t won  (a series) since 2007, we should still remain positive. Given what our team has done in the recent past, and how we are playing right now, it is definitely possible.

Q4: Our bowling attack is very special, could you please tell us a bit about our bowling attack?

Shami: You’ve seen our bowling attack, you’ve seen our stats and how good we are as a unit. It is a very good package and a very good platform for the team, because the Indian team was only known for its batters, but since 2015, you would have seen how the fast bowlers have developed as a unit. It is very nice to hear about it and see the stats, what we have accomplished as a unit. I hope this progress as a unit continues at least till retirement.

Q5: Which aspects should we focus on in order to do well in England?

Shami: I think we shouldn’t take too much stress, we should believe in ourselves and back ourselves. We should always be in a positive frame of mind as a team, then the results will also be positive. I always say that one should remain positive at all times. 

To watch the entire interview, go to: https://youtu.be/Q1ME-py6AVs