DUBAI: India’s pace spearhead Moham­med Shami on Thursday said he came into the ICC Champions Trophy with an eye on taking regular wickets after he returned to international cricket from a career-threatening injury.

Shami claimed impressive figures of 5-53 to set up India’s six-wicket win over Bangladesh in their opening match of the 50-over tournament in Dubai.

The 34-year-old stepped up in the absence of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who was forced to miss the event due to a back injury.

Shami himself only returned to competitive cricket late last year after a string of injuries including ankle, heel and knee which delayed his recovery since his last match in the 2023 ODI World Cup final.

Shami was India’s star bowler in the 50-over World Cup at home with 24 wickets in seven matches but the team lost the final to Australia in Ahmedabad.

“It was difficult to get injured and go down from the form that you had in the World Cup,” Shami told reporters.

“Those 14 months were very difficult as I had to repeat all the things and that pinches you and you feel the pain. But I got those dom­estic matches and four international games (against England) to get my confidence back.”

On his performance in ICC tournaments, Shami said, “I always try, especially in ICC events, that even if I leak plenty of runs, I should at least get some wickets.”

Shami has always been key for India in top tournaments and has snow surpassed former quick Zaheer Khan in ICC ODI tournaments as the leading bowler with 60 wickets. Zaheer took 59.

Shami was missed in India’s recent 3-1 Test defeat in Australia as often Bumrah felt the absence of solid support form the other end.

Meanwhile, opener Shubman Gill was happy to have finished the job on a difficult track after his unbeaten 101 guided India to victory over Bangladesh.

The Indian dressing room had sent out a message to Gill to not give up his wicket as they came under pressure losing three wickets within 32 runs during the chase, the player-of-the-match revealed during the post-match presentation.

“At one point, there was a bit of pressure on us. The message was sent from outside that I have to try to bat till the end and that’s what I tried to do,” Gill said after completing his eig­hth century in ODIs.“Definitely one of the most satisfying innings that I have played and my first century in ICC events. Very satisfying and very happy with the way I performed.”

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2025