“My performances for KXIP in IPL has given me a lot of confidence and put me in the right zone. The biggest advantage is that I can now prepare for the upcoming series without any pressure,” started off marquee Indian fast bowler in an exclusive interview to BCCITv.

The fast bowler, like most of his peers, was forced to stay away from the game for nearly six months due to the global pandemic. However, it did not affect his performances when he finally stepped back onto the cricket field, as he made his mark in the 2020 Dream11 Indian Premier League right from the get go, picking up three wickets in his first game of the season.

Shami was Kings XI Punjab’s leading wicket-taker in the 2020 IPL, finishing with 20 wickets in the competition. The fast bowler played his role as senior bowler of the team with great poise and maturity, delivering match-winning spells on more than one occasion this IPL, including that stellar Super Over against Mumbai Indians where he managed to incredibly defend five runs to give his franchise a memorable win.

“Being able to defend just 5 runs against two most explosive batsmen (Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock) is thoroughly satisfying. There is no margin for error when the target is so small.

“I don’t think anybody would have given us a chance against such top-class batters. I remained hopeful and backed my skills. When you are bowling yorkers there is a chance that you will end up bowling a low full toss, but I am happy I could execute my skills. Such moments stay with you for a long time,” revealed Shami in the same interview.

After a successful showing in the IPL, Mohammed Shami’s focus now shifts to the series Down Under, where India will play three T20Is, three ODIs and five Test matches, with the white ball games being played first from November 27. The 30-year-old is part of the Indian squad in all three formats, and believes he is ready for the challenge after performing brilliantly for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL.

“My performances for KXIP in IPL has given me a lot of confidence. There is no burden on me. I am very comfortable at the moment. I had worked hard on my bowling and my fitness in the lockdown. I knew that IPL would take place sooner or later and I was preparing myself for it.

“I have done well with the white-ball and now spending time in the nets bowling with the red ball. You don’t bowl in the same area since both formats are different, but your basics don’t change much,” concluded Shami.