Focus will be on line and length says Shami

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is back in the squad after a long hiatus from Test cricket. In an interview given to bcci.tv he discussed his preperation ahead of West Indies test series. Present below are the excerpts of his interview:

About Playing in West Indies

"I have played there earlier and I haven't found them (the wickets) to be that different. They are almost similar to India. Yes, in the earlier times we would hear that the wicket is bouncy and all that but now the wickets are similar to those in Asia,".

"So there is no need to be excited as a fast bowler that you will get bounce and carry. According to me, it is important to focus on line and length."

India is set to play four Tests starting with the opening match at North Sound, Antigua from July 21 to 25 and Shami is busy preparing himself for the tour.

About his Preperation for upcoming India - West Indies Series

"I have played there before and I have an idea of the conditions and one will have to be prepared (to utilise those). The main preparation should be for getting your line and length perfect for the wickets there (as per what suits those wickets)," he said.

"I've been playing whatever two-day, four-day (multi-day games) club or whatever other games that I get in order to be prepared for playing in the Tests," said the Bengal pacer, who recently featured in a club match at the Eden Gardens where he bowled with the pink ball.

About the challenges against the West Indies side

"West Indies is the kind of team that can give you a run for your money on a given day and so you have to be very focussed and aware. We have to focus on line and length (as bowlers).

"I will try to give in my best and as a unit the effort would be to bowl tight spells and get wickets."

Shami, who made his Test debut against the West Indies in November 2013 at Eden Gardens, had a successful World Cup in 2015 where he picked up 17 wickets at a strike rate of 17.29 and an economy rate of 4.81.

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