 "Champions Trophy 2025: 'Shami carried India’s attack before Bumrah,' former pacer backs senior bowler")
Former India pacer Laxmipathy Balaji has backed Mohammed Shami to come good in the Champions Trophy 2025 as the Men in Blue look to capture the ICC title in the absence of star bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
While Bumrah was initially named in India’s squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, he was eventually ruled out due to the back spasm issue he suffered during tour of Australia tour. This has raised concerns about India’s pace bowling. Newbie Harshit Rana has replaced Bumrah in the squad which also includes Arshdeep Singh and Shami.
Shami is expected to lead the bowling attack but he is also making a return to international cricket after an injury break that lasted over a year due to ankle surgery.
In two T20Is and T20 ODIs against England on return, Shami took a total of five wickets and did not complete his 10-over quota in any of the 50-over matches.
‘Shami carried India’s attack before Bumrah’
The former fast bowler Balaji, however, has thrown his weight behind Shami, reminding the fans that the 34-year-old was better than Bumrah in the 2019 and 2023 ODI World Cups. He added that Shami’s bowling will be key to India’s performance in the Champions Trophy 2025.
“Actually, he had out-bowled Bumrah in the 2019 (50-over World Cup) and in the last World Cup (2023). Bumrah is the champion bowler across formats,” Balaji told news agency PTI. “But Shami has the experience and, before Bumrah’s arrival, it was Shami who carried India’s attack all through.
“I think it’s very important. If India has to do well, then Shami has to come good with the new ball. The kind of impact he can make in his first six overs with the new ball, it will play a crucial role for India.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“Old ball is anyway…it is a defensive game now. If he can make early inroads regularly that will give a huge booster to India,” he added.
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‘Shami is the leader of the pack right now’
Balaji added that it’s natural that Shami has looked a bit rusty on his return from ankle surgery.
“Since that (ankle) injury has happened, there was a little bit of slowness, maybe. It’s natural. But there is nothing you can do about it. It’s part of any sportsperson’s career.
“He has the experience to get over it and he will do it as he bowls more. It’s just about accepting the (physical) condition and continuing his best practices,” he said.
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Balaji also added the body of work that Shami’s decade-long successful career is a testament to the impact he has had on the team and how it can help them in the Champions Trophy 2025.
“Shami is the leader of the pack right now. I mean, he has been the leader of the pack for a long time now. If you see what Shami has done in 12 years of cricket and, especially, in Test cricket, it has been humongous.
“Now, if he starts striking with the new ball the confidence it gives to other bowlers will be huge,” Balaji said.
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