NEWS
Follow UsThe India pacers were right on the money on Day One of the first Test against England at Trent Bridge. While Jasprit Bumrah picked up four wickets, Mohammed Shami too was outstanding, finishing with 3 for 28 as the home side were bowled out for 183 after Joe Root won the toss and elected to bat.
Shami reckons that any team bowling out the home side for 183 are in a good position further stresses on the importance of the first hour on Day Two.
"We should make a good score and take the lead. We are in a good position because any team you bowl out for 183 at its home is a good performance," Shami said at the post-day press conference," when asked whether the visitors had an upper hand.
"Now the thing is that we need to focus on the first hour and according to me the ball has not done much, the way we bowled in the day, we bowled in the right length and accordingly you have got wickets.
"I think, we need to focus and (it) doesn't matter whether it is 183 or 283, you need to focus a bit and need to add runs," the pacer added.
Shami also said that he was not surprised that the ball started reversing early, adding that it boils down to how the team maintains the ball.
"No, I wasn't surprised (with how quickly the ball started to reverse). You maintain the ball, you keep on shining the ball and you keep on working on the ball. As a bowler, there is nothing surprising but as a bowler, if you want the ball to reverse, then you have to keep on working on the ball," Shami said.
He also stressed that the first hour of Day Two was going to be crucial. "Our first innings, the bowling part is over. Our batting part is left. I will say only one thing, you need to play the first hour with caution, because you should not lose your focus, be in control, so the first thing is to achieve this score and then think about the lead," Shami said.
"The main focus will be to score 183 and after that whatever comes," the Bengal speedster added.
'Wherever I go, I believe in my skills'
"I don't know why I wasn't getting (wickets) in England (laughs). But it doesn't matter if it's England, Australia or wherever, I believe in my skill and back myself," Shami said at the end of the day's play.
"Even when I'm bowling in the nets, I try to assess the conditions and make plans accordingly and try to execute them while playing the match," he added.
England skipper Joe Root's decision to bat first backfired badly as India pacers led by Bumrah (4/46) put up an impressive show. According to Shami, Test cricket is all about patience and doing the basics right.
"Test matches are all about patience. Forget what has happened in the past, we have to think about the present situation, we don't have to think much.
"In my opinion, Test matches are very simple - the more you focus on the basics, the more you'll have the chances to succeed. If you overthink, you will tend to leak runs and it's an unnecessary add-on (of pressure)," said Shami.
"I think you should focus on the basics and play according to the situation. We work without thinking too much and that's what makes us more successful," he added.
India batted out 13 overs on Day One and have all their 10 wickets intact going into Day Two. They trail England by 162 runs.
(With inputs from PTI)