India Focuses On Mohammed Shami; Pacer Works On This With Morne Morkel Before Champions Trophy 2025

India played just three ODIs last year and won none of them in Sri Lanka, as the series ended 2-0 after the opening clash was a drawn result. But the focus now has moved into the 50-over format before the Champions Trophy 2025, which begins on February 19.

With no Jasprit Bumrah in the blue brigade, Mohammed Shami will be the leader of the pace attack, but that’s hardly on the bowler, who was out of the national side for more than a year with injury.

India prepares for the Champions Trophy in Dubai; extra attention to Mohammed Shami

India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, has spent a huge amount of time with Shami, who was the leading wicket-taker of the last ICC event in the 50-over format at home. The right-arm pacer celebrated 24 wickets in seven innings at an average of below 11 and a strike rate of around 12.20, thanks to three five-wicket hauls at the best bowling figure of 7/57 in an inning.

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Thanks to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in place, there was no question of optional practice sessions among the players. The entire squad, from captain Rohit Sarma and veteran batter Virat Kohli to young pacer Hardit Rana, everyone was present in the afternoon session at the ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai.

Shami’s practice was unique, as the reports have claimed. He went through the ODIs and T20Is against England at home with stretchable kneecaps, and that was still present as he bowled a few deliveries with a short run-up to get the feel of the conditions.

The Uttar Pradesh-born was bowling gingerly initially, even when the players were engaged in a few fun games to aim for improvement in decision-making and activity. Shami bowled before the eyes of Morkel, who discussed the ideal lengths for the bowling as he stood on the popping crease at the batter’s end.

Shami was pointing a certain length outside the batter’s crease, which was around the 4-6 meter region. He also indicated that he was trying to move the ball from a particular length.

Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer enjoy India’s net batting

Shreyas Iyer was in tremendous touch during India’s home series against England, with two aggressive half-centuries. His fifty in the opening Nagpur clash helped the Rohit Shamra-led side chase 250 easily despite losing two early wickets.

Iyer and Hardik Pandya were smashing Kuldeep Yadav out of the park. The latter’s powerful shot caused a minor injury to Rishabh Pant’s knee. Soon, the Delhi batter was in pain and attended the physio, Kamlesh Jain, as a concerned Pandya came out of the net to check the Uttara Khand-born.

Kohli, as usual, was in full concentration in the nets, while Rohit was in a good mood after his match-winning century in Cuttack. Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Pant were doing fielding drills with coach T Dilip.

Indian players are busy with strength and conditioning drills

The entire blue brigade was in good spirits as Kohli was joking and doing fun activities with the other players before he joined the batting nets with Shubman Gill. A few innovative game drills were introduced by the conditioning coach.

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“There is no specific purpose but an innovative way of warming up other than playing football. And if you ask about the broader goal, you can say that once the first guy heads it, others have to have their instincts up as the ball can come towards anyone, and he has to react.” The PTI report claims, s quoted by NDTV.

India’s opening game of the Champions Trophy will be against Bangladesh on February 20 at the Dubai International Stadium.