MOHAMMED SHAMI INDIAN CRICKETER:-
Indian Pacer Mohammed Shami said that The COVID-19 lockdown is a dual effect on players though it helped the players to gain strength and heal the body however it also ruined the rhythm of the players due to lockdown break.
In an interview with PTI the Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami said that he enjoys an “advantage” over other Indian players who are living in big cities, he said that he constantly trained inside his sprawling ancestral home in Sahaspur, which is having a mini-cricket ground with all kind of facility for net practice.
Shami added “There are two different ways to look at it. The Indian team always has a packed schedule and it was a good break because of the pandemic which allowed a tired body to heal,”
Indian pacer added”While on one side, you gain physically and keep your body in good shape, become fitter and stronger with a lot of training but not playing the sport means that at the same time the rhythm is not there. Obviously, it’s something where you will find the difference. So there are pros and cons and its about managing your body,”
Shami said when BCCI starts a camp, he will have an advantage over the other players.
obviously I will have an advantage as I have been training quite regularly. This is different from an injury-induced break. I have been in good rhythm, and luckily, I don’t feel any stiffness while bowling full tilt.
“This is a phase when you always know that you are there and it’s a matter of time to get that rhythm back. It bolsters your confidence.”
“Did you try with an old ball at the nets? “No, I haven’t,” said the Indian fast sensation.
He further added”If you don’t get proper conditions, you can’t try bowling with the old ball. I will tell you why…,”
He further explained”In the nets, the old ball that you use is the one that’s kept in a box for a few days, it will behave differently from a ball that’s getting old after continuous use in a match situation. Because a ball that gets old in a match situation is maintained throughout the course of the innings,”
shami added “It has got a lot to do with the condition of the leather”
“The old ball that you suddenly bring out for practice will have a softer feel of the leather and that creates a difference. So, if you are looking at answers, you will only get it in match simulation.
“So my next target during training is to start with a new ball and try to maintain it without saliva and then figure out how it behaves when it gets old.
“I will have to bowl with it and after maybe 20 overs when the batsman has faced it, then you get an idea how the ball behaves,”
“Yes, its a conditioned reflex, so obviously I am forgetting at times but luckily stopping before I apply it on the ball,”
he added”So it’s a good thing that whenever I am training, I become very conscious and say, ‘no, I can’t use saliva’. The discipline is slowly coming,”
“People are asking me this question, but honestly, I have no answer. Because it’s a habit and a theory we have all believed and practiced since our starting years. So, once we start trying, we will know better.”
While workload management is an important aspect, after a six-month break, no player would be thinking about anything else but game time.
“I prefer game time but, at the same time, one should have the knowledge as to how one’s body is reacting to various types of workload.
“Our team’s workload management has been great. I believe after such a long break, I don’t think that we need to think about workload and stuff. Because, right now, all I want is to be in a camp, think about my practice and start preparing for matches.”
Shami added about his problems and suicidal thoughts which was going through after personal issues which he faced earlier, he said “You should always talk to people around you, who care for you. You shouldn’t run away from situations. If there is a problem which you aren’t able to handle alone, please never shy away from seeking help and discuss with someone you can trust and confide in. But please talk,”
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