Debasis Sen, Southampton: Indian pacer Mohammad Shami may finally get his first opportunity in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. The Bengal pacer may get a place in the playing XI in place of an injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar against Afghanistan on June 22 here at the Ageas Bowl. Bhuvi is yet to recover from the hamstring injury he suffered in the match against Pakistan which forced him to leave the ground after bowling 2.4 overs. He injured his hamstring as he slipped upon landing on follow through, bowling in his third over at Old Trafford.
Shami looked quite relaxed as he was seen cracking jokes with teammates as he came down the stairs from the dressing room here at the Ageas Bowl. He had an extended session bowling at the nets along with Vijay Shankar at the practice nets adjacent to the main stadium. Bhuvneshwar was seen taking a gingerly stroll around the ground. It is very unlikely he may take the field against the Afghans until something miracle happens.
According to Team India’s strength and conditioning coach Shankar Basu, “ Bhuvi is being constantly monitored by physio Patrick Farhat.”
Basu was delighted to see Shami improving on his fitness leaps and bounds.
“He failed a fitness test last year and also had some issues in his personal life. Once he came back, he started training with a vengeance. I had told Shami that there is no point of training hard for 20 days,” said Basu in the press conference on Wednesday.
Injury-marred Shami has improved dramatically when it comes to his fitness. The 50-year-old Basu has credited Shami for working hard to undergo proper training in a bid to prove his fitness.
Talking about Shami’s lifestyle, Basu has revealed that the paceman has brought the concept of ‘intermittent’ fasting. He further added Shami eats well in the second half after the first half, which has eventually helped him to reduce body fat.
“He is a meat eater but now he has cut down on his junk food. He is probably the first example in this Indian team who has started the concept of intermittent fasting. He doesn’t eat a lot during the first half of the day but eats well during the second half of the day. He has reduced his fat percentage,” signed off Basu.