Compared one-on-one, we have better pacers than other teams, says Shami
39th Test and it is likely that for the first time in his captaincy, he may retain the eleven. Ashwin is nursing a groin strain, but he bowled and batted on Tuesday.
“We are strong whether we change or not. Changes (in pace) also help us recover, especially in Tests,” Shami told a news conference. “Our country has got such a bowling attack after a long time and if you compare one-on-one (with England or other teams), we have better bowlers. So, when we hear this (Shastri’s praise), it takes our confidence sky high. Anyone can bowl with the new ball, and it is good we have these options.
“The responsibility is on us to deliver in these conditions. (But) the attempt is not to look at the entire series but take it match by match.” India bowlers have been consistently quicker than James Anderson and Co, but Shami said line and length was the key.
“We have bench strength that is so strong we can change if we want to… This chop and change policy is good (for pacers) because it allows us to recover.”
In the England series, where India have recovered to 1-2 with two games left, Shami has banished concerns due to dodgy knees and family turmoil, after his wife’s accusations of domestic violence and other charges.
“It’s difficult. The last eight months have been tough for me with the family matter. It doesn’t matter what happened or didn’t, the period was very stressful. I was disturbed about it for some time. But at some point, I had to decide representing the country came first, so I practised with that in mind.”
India pacers will target Jonny Bairstow if the England wicketkeeper, recovering from a broken left middle finger suffered in Trent Bridge, plays in the fourth Test, Shami said.
“Obviously,” said Shami when asked about Bairstow, who is likely to play as a batsman with Jos Buttler keeping wicket. “When you see that a batsman has a weakness and he feels uncomfortable in some way, you would prefer to work on that aspect. It’s not just me, any fast bowler will want to target his weak zone.”
Shami feels thanks to India’s pack pack there is a “culture change” among children, who wanted to bat or bowl spin in the past. “We have such good skilled pace bowlers that they are idols for young kids and junior cricketers.”