IPL helps gauge a player's preparation, says Shami
Shami, who plays for Kings XI Punjab in IPL, has been his franchise's best bowler this season, with 17 wickets in 13 games at an average of 26.58.
"The IPL is a platform where you can see all the cards on the table. That helps you understand how the other players are preparing, how much they are training," he told Sportstar. "But it depends on each individual as to how he reads the situation and understands the mindset of the other players. It is about absorbing those moments."
Super Over hero @jaspritbumrah93 ensured Mumbai Indians sealed a spot in the #IPL2019 playoffs!
— ICC (@ICC) May 3, 2019
He reveals the secret behind his death-overs bowling ⬇️ https://t.co/TNuwx3gEbt#MIvSRH #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/K6WrYmj8uE
The 28-year-old, who debuted in 2013, has been a big part of India's plans in Tests and one-day internationals. With the World Cup around the corner, he is expected to make up India's pace attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Shami believes the mental shift from IPL to World Cup will not be easy but can be handled if one works on their on fitness levels.
"When you are changing format, it does get a bit challenging, but then, for me or Jasprit [Bumrah], it is not that much of a problem because ultimately it’s about making an impact, either in the Powerplay or at the death. The only difference is that in ODIs, the number of overs increase and you need to focus on your fitness level.
"It is not challenging but it’s just that you need to keep a tab on each and every aspect of your game. Another thing is, you have to be a bit careful during the practice sessions and the matches."
The right-armer has been working on his fitness over the last year and is now nine kilos lighter. He credited the weight loss for improvement in his bowling. In the 11 ODIs he has played this year, Shami has already accumulated 19 scalps.
"When the weight is reduced, you become more flexible and it actually becomes easier for a fast bowler [to get the line and length better]. You don’t feel exhausted or tired and you slowly tend to feel the difference. So, everything put together, it certainly has a positive impact on the bowling."
India will play South Africa in their opening World Cup game on 5 June in Southampton.