5-star Mohammed Shami not stressing over India vs Pakistan: No special mindset

Mohammed Shami remains unfazed ahead of India's high-stakes Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan, trusting his momentum from a stellar five-wicket haul against Bangladesh instead of adopting a special mindset for the blockbuster encounter.

In Short

• Shami confident of carrying Bangladesh form into India-Pakistan clash
• He backed his skills, avoided overthinking on Pakistan game
• Pakistan under pressure after loss, Shami focused on execution

India pacer Mohammed Shami has made it clear that he will not be adopting any special mindset ahead of India’s highly anticipated Champions Trophy clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. Instead, he intends to carry the same momentum from his outstanding performance against Bangladesh, backing his skills and mental approach without overthinking the magnitude of the fixture.

Shami, returning to an ICC tournament after a long injury layoff, produced a sensational five-wicket haul (5/53) to help India secure a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their Champions Trophy opener on February 20. His fiery spell ensured India got off to a winning start, setting the tone for their campaign. Now, as India gears up to face Pakistan, Shami remains unfazed by the high-pressure nature of the encounter, trusting his process rather than making unnecessary adjustments.

IND vs BAN, Champions Trophy: Highlights

"After winning, there is no point in having a mindset. You should stay in the same frame when you win a match and when you perform well.,,I don't think you need to think too much about the ICC tournament or any international match," Shami said in the post-match press conference.

"You should believe in your skills and back yourself. I always work on these two things that I believe in myself and back myself. So, it's not a matter of mindset to change. If you don't change in difficult times, then you don't change in such times," he added.

The star pacer’s journey back to international cricket has been anything but smooth. Shami was sidelined for over a year following an ankle injury sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup. His rehabilitation suffered a setback when he picked up a knee injury during the final stages of recovery, further delaying his return. However, his comeback against Bangladesh reaffirmed his match-winning abilities, earning widespread praise. With India now set to face Pakistan, Shami’s form will be crucial in the marquee clash.

India’s victory over Bangladesh was not just about Shami’s brilliance with the ball but also about Shubman Gill’s magnificent century, which guided the team to a confident start in the tournament. The combination of strong bowling and solid batting has given India an edge in confidence heading into the Pakistan fixture.

Meanwhile, Pakistan have already arrived in Dubai to prepare for the blockbuster clash. However, the Mohammed Rizwan-led side will take the field under immense pressure, as their 60-run defeat to New Zealand in Karachi on February 19 has put their semi-final hopes in jeopardy. With Pakistan in a must-win situation, the stakes for the game have only intensified, but Shami remains focused on executing his plans without letting external factors dictate his approach.