Leading Indian speedster Mohammed Shami defied the instructions given to him by the BCCI on Wednesday. Since he will be playing the 4-match Test series against Australia beginning from December 6, the Indian cricket board wanted him to bowl not more than 15-17 overs so as to manage his workload. However, Shami rolled his arm for 26 overs in the Ranji game against Kerala.
When asked about the reason, Shami stated that bowling more than 15 overs was his “own decision”.
“When you are playing a match for your state, the important thing is to fulfil your responsibility,” Shami, who returned with 26-3-100-3, told reporters after the day two.
“I was also feeling well and had no discomfort. The wicket was also doing well so I continued as long as I could... I decided on my own," he added.
Concerned with Shami's fitness issues of late, the BCCI had cleared the Bengal pacer to play ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Kerala on condition that he would bowl 15-17 overs per innings. But as Bengal struggled to bundle out Kerala, Shami ended up bowling the maximum in the four-prong pace attack.
In comparison, Bengal's regular strike bowler Ashok Dinda bowled 19 overs, while youngster Ishan Porel and Mukesh Kumar bowled 18 and 14 overs respectively.
Shami said it was best to bowl in a match than in practice.
“It was better to bowl for your team and state rather than practising somewhere else... The more you bowl here the more it will help in Australia. It was good preparation. For me, bowling in a match is the best preparation. I prefer that any day.
“I was feeling well to bowl at home after a long time. All my friends were here. It was after a long time I could play with my team,” Shami added.
On the other hand, Bengal coach Sairaj Bahutule also echoed Shami's views on his extended spell.
“He was absolutely willing to bowl so he continued. Nobody put pressure on him,” Bahutule said.
An integral part of the Indian fast bowling unit, Shami is the leading Indian wicket-taker in Tests this year with 33 wickets in nine Tests, including a five-for in the final innings of the Johannesburg Test that India won in January.