Shami feeds off team success

Agency :
Fast bowler Mohammed Shami on Sunday said India’s success kept him motivated on the bench as he returned match-winning figures of 5-54 against New Zealand in his first outing at the World Cup.

India made two changes after all-rounder Hardik Pandya fell injured and Shami made the most of his return to the XI in Dharamsala with his second five-wicket haul in World Cups.

New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell hit 130 and the team were cruising at 178-2 when Shami rattled the middle and lower-order to keep the opposition total down to 273 all out.

India rode on Virat Kohli’s 95 to clinch their fifth win in as many matches and Shami said he never felt left out in the previous victories.

“When you are not playing, it is very difficult. But if your team is performing, your boys are moving in a rhythm, then I don’t think you should feel guilty sitting outside,” Shami told reporters.