[1/2]Cricket – ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – India vs New Zealand – Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala, India – October 22, 2023 India’s Mohammed Shami takes the wicket of New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell and celebrates with Rohit Sharma Reuters/Adnan Abidi acquires licensing rights
Oct 23 (Reuters) – India’s pace bowlers look set to return to the World Cup against New Zealand thanks to a homemade training facility built by Mohammed Shami just before the COVID-19 lockdown The company continued to perform well.
Shami helped the hosts to a four-wicket win and an unbeaten record in the tournament at 5-54 in Dharamsala on Sunday.
In early 2020, Shami installed a pitch, net and clay running track in his farmhouse in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh state in northern India, providing a convenient practice base for his brother, who is also a cricketer.
“We knew we didn’t have room to go anywhere, so we thought it would be better to build the facility in a farmhouse,” Shami told reporters.
Shami was rested during the West Indies tour in July and was not included in the Asia Cup squad in September as all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who battled a back injury for a year, was given a more prominent role in the team. It was removed.
Shami said he would rather train on his home pitch than miss a match.
“Even if you’ve been busy for 12 months, sometimes you can just relax when you get home,” the 33-year-old said.
“I feel like I’m not relaxed when I get home. (Training) helps me relax.”
Shami replaced Pandya, who injured his left ankle during India’s seven-wicket win over Bangladesh last week.
Shami’s five-wicket haul, including three in the final over, helped restrict the Black Caps to 273 and earned him Player of the Match honors.
India, who are at the top of the table, will next face defending champions England in Lucknow on Sunday.
Pandya is expected to rejoin the squad ahead of that game, but it is unclear whether he will be selected.
Shami said he was not concerned about India missing the first four matches of the World Cup.
“I think everyone should enjoy each other’s successes,” he said.
Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru.Editing: Robert Barthel
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