DUBAI: India´s pace spearhead Mohammed Shami on Thursday said he came into the Champions Trophy with an eye on taking regular wickets after he returned to international cricket from a career-threatening injury.

Shami claimed impressive figures of 5-53 to set up India´s six-wicket win over Bangladesh in their opening match of the 50-over tournament in Dubai. The 34-year-old stepped up in the absence of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who was forced to miss the event due to a back injury. Shami himself only returned to competitive cricket late last year after a string of injuries including ankle, heel and knee which delayed his recovery since his last match in the 2023 ODI World Cup final.

Shami was India´s star bowler in the 50-over World Cup at home with 24 wickets in seven matches but the team lost the final to Australia in Ahmedabad. “It was difficult to get injured and go down from the form that you had in the World Cup,” Shami told reporters.