“Virat Kohli has always been supportive of his fast bowlers”, says Mohammad Shami

India’s prominent all-format quick Mohammad Shami talked about the unwavering support that skipper Virat Kohli has maintained for all fast-bowlers within the camp during his captaincy tenure.

For Shami, one major reason why the Indian team has been able to achieve successive historic series wins in Australia and secure Test match victories in South Africa and England is Kohli’s brilliant captaincy.

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Virat Kohli’s reign at the helm has coincided with India developing its greatest set in the fast-bowling department ever. In a reflection of unprecedented riches, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Shami form the team’s first-choice pace attack in Test cricket and Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini among others provide able back-ups.

During an interview for Cricbuzz with renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle, Shami spoke gleefully of what it is like playing under Kohli and said the captain’s immense faith is the key aspect behind the success of India’s contemporary fast-bowling unit.

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“Virat Kohli has always been supportive of his fast bowlers”, says Mohammad Shami

“It is also indeed a phase which you can maybe attribute to the luck of this Indian team or hard work. But Virat Kohli has always been supportive of his fast bowlers while also giving us freedom on the ground. He only jumps in when our plans fail, otherwise we’re free as a bowling unit to do as we please. He has always been very supportive,” Shami said.

Reiterating how Virat Kohli gives confidence and freedom to his bowlers, Mohammad Shami further said the Indian skipper never shows or behave as if he above anyone else in stature within the team.

There are occasions of disagreements when the tempers do flare up, but Shami said most of the time the dressing room atmosphere is pleasent and everyone loves each other’s company, which is another important contribution from Virat Kohli the captain.

“As far as our fast-bowling unit or I am concerned as an individual, he has never put any undue pressure on any of us. Usually, there’s a doubt in a bowler’s mind before he approaches his captain. That has never been the case with Virat. He has not air about himself. He jokes around with us, behaves as if he’s our childhood friend,” Shami said.

“This leads to a lot of fun on the ground too. Sometimes there’s fun banter, sometimes we also end up saying aggressive things to each other but we never mind it because it happens in the heat of the moment,” he added.

Virat Kohli’s men will be next seen in action during the forthcoming summer in the UK, where they take on New Zealand in the World Test Championship final and also face England in a five-Test series.