Mohammed Shami focused on death bowling

After his four-wicket haul that helped India level the series against West Indies, pacer Mohammed Shami has said he was working on improving his bowling skills in the death overs. Shami, who had taken 4/66 in the first game of the series, took 4/33 in 9.3 overs in the second ODI and his key wicket of Dwayne Smith triggered a collapse in the West Indies innings, helping India to a 48-run win.

“I have always been ready to bowl at any kind of situation. Be it bowling with the new ball, or in between innings or at the death, I have always been ready to take up whatever responsibilities are given to me at a given situation,” Shami told bcci.tv. “Being a fast bowler I understand that it is very important to own up to the new ball and towards the fag end of the innings.

“I work hard at the nets to be ready for certain situations. During our practice sessions, we as bowlers mark certain areas to bowl at. While bowling at the practice sessions we keep shoes in front of the stumps and try to perfect our yorkers. It is something that really helps us to get the yorker right during the match and I believe we have been trying to get it right. I feel the yorkers are the most important thing for a bowler to have in his armoury if he has to get better while bowling at the death.”