India’s dominant start to the ICC Champions Trophy has been fuelled by two standout performances — Shubman Gill’s composed innings and Mohammed Shami’s remarkable return to international cricket. As India gears up for a high-stakes encounter against Pakistan on 23 February in Dubai, both players will be pivotal.
Gill: A Key Target for Pakistan’s Bowlers
Shubman Gill, who was named man of the match in India’s opening victory over Bangladesh, has become a major concern for opposition bowlers. Former India wicketkeeper Chandrakant Pandit sees Gill as a central figure in India’s batting lineup.
Shubman Gill, who was named man of the match in India’s opening victory over Bangladesh, has become a major concern for opposition bowlers. Former India wicketkeeper Chandrakant Pandit sees Gill as a central figure in India’s batting lineup.
Gill is a key player now, just like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma — an important player for the opposition to target. He looks far more experienced, and I feel he has developed great maturity in his game. He is a fine student of cricket.
Pandit believes Gill should stick to his current approach.
The way he is batting, he should continue with the same flow. He is a different kind of player — someone who can play long innings, as we saw against Bangladesh.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer praised Gill’s ability to assess conditions and play with control.
The way he performed in the World Cup, he’s doing exactly the same here. He understands that he doesn’t need to go full throttle in ODIs.
Shami’s Inspirational Comeback
India’s pace attack suffered a setback with Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, but Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul against Bangladesh provided the team with a massive boost. It was Shami’s first appearance for India after a 14-month break due to an ankle injury, making his performance even more remarkable.
Shami admitted the road to recovery was mentally and physically exhausting. “I always wondered when I would be able to put my feet on the ground again. As someone used to running on the field constantly, being on crutches was tough. For the first two months, I often doubted if I would ever play again,” Shami told ICC.tv.
However, on Thursday, Shami proved he was back at his best. Former India pacer Ishant Sharma was thrilled to see him bowl again.
There is no substitute for experience, and Shami showed that. Experience helps you assess conditions quickly and bowl accordingly.
Former India spinner and selector Sarandeep Singh credited Shami’s mental toughness.
(Sami) He bowled brilliantly. He took the pressure of being out for almost a year, played domestic cricket, and returned to the team when the opportunity came.
Shami is a terrific bowler. He puts his heart into his bowling, whether with the new ball or at the death. It was heartening to see him do his job so well after such a long layoff.
Looking Ahead to the Pakistan Clash
Shami’s performance against Bangladesh was crucial for his confidence ahead of the much-anticipated match against Pakistan. Former India wicketkeeper and selector Saba Karim believes Shami will not feel the pressure of the big game.
Shami is very experienced. Pakistan’s top order is struggling, and he doesn’t need to change anything. His five-wicket haul against Bangladesh was important in terms of confidence.
Reflecting on his struggles, Shami revealed how difficult his recovery was. “After 60 days, when they asked me to put my foot on the ground, I was scared. It felt like I was learning to walk again,” he said.
Despite his long absence, Shami has a history of delivering in ICC tournaments. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, he was India’s highest wicket-taker, with 24 wickets in just seven matches at an average of 10.70.
India captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged the importance of Shami’s return. “All we wanted was for Shami to get back to wearing Indian colours. Whether he took wickets or not was immaterial,” Rohit said after the England ODIs.
With Gill anchoring the batting and Shami leading the pace attack, India looks well-prepared for their high-voltage clash against Pakistan.
