Injured India pacer Mohammad Shami on Saturday said his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) was going in the right direction and that he hopes to start bowling in the nets from next month.
Shami has been out of action since the 2015 World Cup due to a knee problem and recently underwent a surgery. He missed out on the Indian Premier League and India's Bangladesh tour.
“I hope to start bowling in the nets next month. I am now in a [comfortable] zone and my body is not feeling tight. There is no problem and I am slowly increasing the weight,” Shami, who took 17 wickets in seven World Cup matches, told PTI.
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Former pacemen are regular visitors at the NCA but Shami said he was focussed on completing his rehabilitation process.
“It is not necessary to get tips from the international players because now I am most of the time with doctor and the physio. In my reckoning, this is more important for me at this point of time,” he said.
Asked how difficult it will be for him to get back into the Indian team with stiff competition for spots, Shami said, “Whoever performs well should be in the team.”
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Talking about Indian team’s dismal Bangladesh tour, Shami said the failure to strike early and indisciplined bowling cost India the ODI series.
“The series against Bangladesh went awry. As far as bowling is concerned, it is important to pick wickets with the new ball in the first ten overs and during powerplays. That did not happen,” he said.
“We picked up wickets late which resulted in Bangladesh scoring many runs. Even the line and length was a bit indisciplined.”