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India’s giant bowling success

MOHAMMED Shami has revealed the secret to the success of India fast bowlers in recent times, saying that the camaraderie among them has been central.

Shami, Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah are the leading figures in India's pace battery in Test cricket and it has also featured the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and more recently Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Siraj and T Natarajan.

"Our fast bowling unit is a great package where everyone works really hard while also understanding the other counterparts really well. The bonding and the fun you saw that day was because we enjoy each other's success a lot. We are happy when the other one is happy," Shami told Cricbuzz.

India's fast bowling unit has earned praise from commentators and experts over the past three years and has been crucial to their consecutive series wins in Australia.

"Even if someone's down and out, we make sure that we lift his spirits. We try to make them forget all the stresses and try to lighten the mood. I think all bonds should be like that because to play for your country is indeed a matter of pride. In this unit that we have built since 2013-14, you'll find that the guys enjoy each other's success a lot," added Shami.

Meanwhile, India captain Virat Kohli and several of his teammates have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccines before they leave for a tour of England next month.

India face New Zealand in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship at Southampton in June before playing a five-Test series against England from August 4.

India's novel coronavirus cases rose by 329 942 yesterday, while deaths from the disease rose by 3876. The country leads the world in the daily average number of new deaths reported, accounting for one in every three deaths reported worldwide each day, according to a Reuters tally. "Vaccinate yourself as soon as you can please. Stay Safe," Kohli said in an Instagram message after posting a photo of him being vaccinated on Monday.

Kohli's Test teammates Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav have also posted messages on social media saying they have received the first jab.

Most of the players had been playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which was suspended indefinitely last week because of the pandemic. India began a vaccination drive for those above 18 years on May 1.

Indian athletes preparing for the Tokyo Olympics, including the men's and women's hockey teams, have also received their first dose of the vaccine. Members of the shooting contingent also received their first dose before leaving for a training camp in Croatia on Monday. | IANS and Reuters

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2021-05-12T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-05-12T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://thepostza.pressreader.com/article/281930250861820

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