Kolkata: Just ten minutes into an exceptionally lengthy training session, the lower tier of the Eden Gardens clubhouse became animated. At one end of the practice pitch stood Mohammed Shami, his left knee heavily bandaged, as he measured a very short run-up under the guidance of bowling coach Morne Morkel.

Shuffling cautiously, taking barely six steps, Shami released the ball with minimal shoulder engagement. However, his wrist revealed the truth, as each delivery zipped off the pitch after landing. He was indeed bending the ball, albeit in a cautious manner rather than at full intensity. This raised more questions than the Indian team would have preferred as they began their preparations for the white-ball series against England.

With no press conference scheduled for the day, the media could only gather subtle hints or broad speculations from the training session. For the first half hour, this did not bode well for Shami, as his right heel remained under scrutiny until the BCCI issued a press release in December, indicating that Shami’s left knee had “exhibited minor swelling due to increased joint loading from his bowling workload” in domestic cricket. The medical team advised that “controlled exposure to bowling loads” was the recommended approach. A month later, Shami’s continued use of a knee strap was concerning, particularly with Jasprit Bumrah expected to be sidelined for at least five weeks.

Nevertheless, Shami had been active in the past three weeks, bowling eight overs against Bihar, eight against Madhya Pradesh, and ten against Haryana, with each Vijay Hazare Trophy match for Bengal in early January boosting his confidence that he was gradually returning to form. The effectiveness of his efforts became evident when Shami transitioned to the nets, where top-order batsmen were practising. On his first delivery, he executed a fair run-up and decent pace, immediately achieving the desired length. With the next ball, he completed a full run-up, increased his pace, and quickly found his rhythm. Within five minutes, he was back to form.

The sight of Shami charging in to bowl at full speed marks a significant milestone, even though the upcoming T20I series, commencing on Wednesday, is not of utmost importance in light of the Champions Trophy preparations. With Bumrah taking a break, India must explore various bowling combinations, positioning Shami as the focal point and Hardik Pandya as the support for the middle overs.

"Given the uncertainty surrounding Jassi Bumrah, if he (Shami) is fit and consistently playing, the quality and experience he offers are invaluable," stated chief selector Ajit Agarkar on Saturday following the announcement of the Champions Trophy squad. "Involving him in T20Is is precisely for this reason: to reintegrate him into international cricket and allow him to perform under pressure. We are optimistic that he will navigate these matches successfully, ensuring he is at full fitness by the time the Champions Trophy arrives," Agarkar added.

Recognizing that Shami improves with each delivery, Sunday presented an ideal opportunity for him to stretch his capabilities. For forty minutes, he bowled vigorously at the batters, employing both over and round-the-wicket techniques while varying his lengths and speeds, showcasing an impressive level of concentration. After completing his session, Shami moved to the adjacent track to discuss wrist positions with Morkel, joined by Pandya and Harshit Rana. With markers set at various lengths, Morkel encouraged them to focus on their targets.

Rana successfully struck the leg stump, Pandya hit the off stump, and Shami found the middle of the middle stump. His reputation for precise, straight bowling remains consistent across formats. Therefore, for India to excel on the unresponsive pitches of Dubai during the Champions Trophy, Shami must maintain his line. He demonstrated this skill effectively, either targeting the top of the off stump or dismantling the wicket with fuller deliveries. Adding to the intrigue was his shallower release angle, which poses challenges for top batters on pitches with unpredictable bounce. With Shami, his performance is straightforward and reliable, providing an excellent preview of elite fast bowling.

One team, one bus: BCCI

The implementation of the BCCI's 10-point directive for the Indian cricket team, following the defeat in the Test series against Australia, has commenced with a communication to the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). This directive stipulates that no individual vehicle shall be provided for any player, mandating that all members must utilize the team bus for travel. The Indian team is set to play the opening T20I match against England on January 22.

CAB president Snehasish Ganguly confirmed these arrangements, stating, “Only a team bus has been organized for the Indian team. There will be no personal vehicles for the cricketers. We are required to adhere to the guidelines, which explicitly indicate that all players must travel together with the team to and from matches and practice sessions,” he informed PTI.

On Sunday, the Indian squad arrived at Eden Gardens via the team bus, signifying a shift from previous practices where some players or support staff would occasionally use personal transportation.

Read Also: Team India Adopts BCCI's Fresh 'Team Bus' Protocol Before Kolkata T20I Clash

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