XtraTime Web Desk: Indian cricket team’s ace pacer Mohammed feels that only he deserves all the credit for his remarkable comeback in international cricket as the pacer said it was “me & only me” who suffered for 18 long months.
“Credit? Who else but me. I give full credit to myself,” said Shami after India’s 125-run victory over West Indies in the World Cup here Thursday, the scribes in the mixed zone taken in by his directness.
Shami was under tremendous mental pressure in the last one & half years, as he had to fight after being accused of domestic violence. Due to this he was left out from BCCI’s central contract list during the enquiry process, and not only that he had to sat out a Test match as he was declared unfit.
But he is now back to his best, asking probing questions to the best in the business with his pace and swing.
“… Because I had to endure all that I was made to go through. What I went through in the past 18 months, it’s me and only me who had to suffer. So credit goes to me,” Shami said without getting into the details about the nightmare that he had endured.
“Yes, I thank the Almighty for giving me the strength to fight everything – from family issues to fitness. I am now only focussed on doing well for my country,” said the pacer, who has now taken eight wickets in two games, including a hat-trick.
After two mind blowing performances against Afghanistan and West Indies, Shami said that working on his fitness has been the turning point. He has shed those extra kilos, and more importantly, it has put him in a good head space.
“It wasn’t only about failing YoYo test. There are times when your rhythm goes for a toss. I failed that’s a separate thing but then I have worked hard and improved my fitness. I feel I am in a good zone now as I have lost weight, got rhythm and everything is working for me.
“I now try to maintain my diet, training
regime consistently. Because I am feeling stronger, not getting tired easily,
my speed has also increased. And as far as skill is concerned, I always knew I
can perform well on any track,” he said, the confidence could easily be
mistaken as arrogance.
While many thought that it would be the
fit Bhuvneshwar
Kumar, with
his ability to take the ball away from left-handers, but it was Shami who
bounced out ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle.
“Since we played IPL together, I have a bit of an idea about him when you play together for some time. I knew that if I don’t allow him to chance his arms, he will get out in desperation trying to hit me,” he said, the explanation sounding much simpler than his on-field execution.
How did he feel when he wasn’t getting chance in
the first four games? “Look, 15 people have come to represent the country.
You must have had something special that you are in that 15, isn’t it? It’s
about remaining patient and positive. And, yes, have a clever mind.”