Mohammed Shami, in his dialog with Axar Patel, revealed why he determined to disregard the all-rounder’s recommendation and began taking up spinners throughout their 52-run stand for the ninth wicket within the first check towards Australia in Nagpur.
“Aaj hamare sath nagpur se aaye Mr Lala, itna confidence se aaye, kya soch rhe the (Today we have Mr Lala from Nagpur, what were you thinking?),” questioned Axar.
Of important partnerships 🤝, smashing sixes 💥 and ice-cool angle 🧊
Presenting post-match Nagpur Tales with @akshar2026 and @MdShami11 👌🏻👌🏻 – By @RajalArora
FULL INTERVIEW 🔽 #INDvAUS | #TeamIndia https://t.co/SZK9d5RfVr pic.twitter.com/dEbmhrCBjg
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 12, 2023
Shami replied, “Kuch nhi yaar, aap vahan batting kar rhe toh mera ek hi role tha ki jitni der ho sake vahan rukho. Patience dikhaye but nhi ho rha tha (Nothing, you were batting, my role was to stay as long as possible and show patience but I could not).”
Axar Patel continued to bat effectively and scored 84 runs off 174 deliveries and was the final man to go as he was outfoxed by a gradual off-cutter from Pat Cummins on the brink of the break. Before that, Mohammed Shami (37 off 47) confirmed his batting prowess, attacking the spinners with large hits.
“Mein aapko bole jaa rhu thande hojao, ice rakh ko, mein jab bola ice rakh lo aapna chakka maara, mein fir bola ice rakh lo aapne chakka maara (I kept telling you to calm down. I told you to show patience, you hit a six. I again told you the same thing, and you again hit a six),” requested Axar.
Shami replied, “Ego hurt ho gya tha.”
India went on to win the match by an innings and 132 runs. The second Test of the four-match collection will begin from Friday.
