IND vs AUS 2023: We needed to give him that break – Paras Mhambrey backs decision to rest Mohammed Shami for Indore Test

India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey has backed the team’s decision to rest Mohammed Shami from the third Test match at Indore. Shami could not hit the straps in the opening hour of the fourth Test match at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Thursday after missing the third Test.

As there was a gap of eight days between the second Test match at Delhi and third Test at Indore, former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar feels it made no sense to rest Mohammed Shami. Umesh Yadav replaced Shami in the final XI in the third Test.

Shami then returned to the playing XI in the fourth Test, replacing Mohammed Siraj in the team.

Paras Mhambrey said in the post-day press conference, “You have to take a call. We also look at the workload of individual bowlers. Shami has bowled a lot. We needed to give him that break. That was also an opportunity for someone like Umesh (Yadav) to get a game.

Mhambrey feels it is pivotal to rotate the fast bowlers keeping in mind the WTC final against Australia, for which the team is yet to qualify.

“After this series, you have the World Test Championship. You need to look at that as well. You have to at times rotate the bowlers. It’s important for the players as well.”

Shami bowled well in his second spell as he got the big wicket of Marnus Labuschagne. The veteran also sent Peter Handscomb’s stumps cartwheeling in the third session.

On the other hand, Australia ended the day’s play at 255-4 after a fine hundred from Usman Khawaja. After the second new ball was taken, the visitors scored 54 runs in nine overs as Cameron Green, who scored an unbeaten 49, changed gears towards the fag end.

“They (Australia) batted well in the first session. We did well in the second session, but again they scored freely after we took the new ball. I think that’s where the game drifted slightly away from us. In the last 10 overs, we conceded 56 runs. Restricting them to 220-225 would have been nice.”

Mhambrey expects the Ahmedabad pitch to offer help to the spinners as the game progresses.

“As the game progresses, there might be little turn,” he said. “Maybe the last session tomorrow and from the third day onwards, there will be help for spinners.”