Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (DUBAI)
Like every one of his teammates, Mohammed Shami was all smiles after Team India beat Australia to secure a berth in the final of the Champions Trophy and, yet, he took a contrarian view to a couple of sticky points that have dogged the Men in Blue throughout their campaign in Dubai.
India have been criticised for getting to play all their matches at one neutral venue to get them an advantage compared to all the other seven teams in the major tournament while also the fact that it has allowed the team to play to their strengths – the spinners.
Every player who addressed the media before and after India's four matches, and coach Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday night hit back, saying that Dubai was also a "neutral venue for them" and that "the pitches are unfamiliar" to them.
Yet, seconds after Gambhir spoke, Shami strode into the mixed media zone having taken three wickets for 48 runs to lead the bowling charts on a list dominated by spinners.
"We had only one and half fast bowlers for the game [referring to himself and all-rounder Hardik Pandya], so the responsibility was much more," said Shami, returning back into the team after a nearly two-year gap and a knee surgery.
While Shami said the workload was being managed well, when he was asked the ubiquitous question on the familiarity advantage, he said: "It definitely helped us because we know the conditions and the behaviour of the pitch. And we have the spinners to back up to our strengths. That's why it was important that as a fast bowler, I do my part well, too. I am trying to get my rhythm back and I am ready to bowl long spells."
Gambhir had earlier said Shami is "a world-class performer. He's phenomenal and the hunger he brings on the table, the way he trains, the way he practises – that's why you see all those results."
Smith Retires
Tuesday night also saw Australia captain Steve Smith address the media about the tournament for the last time as he announced on Wednesday morning that he will be retiring from the format, a decision conveyed by Cricket Australia later.
The 35-year-old batsman, who led the team in the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins, will continue to play Tests and T20 internationals. Smith told his teammates of his decision immediately after Australia's four-wicket defeat. He top-scored with 73 in his side's total of 264.
"It has been a great ride and I have loved every minute of it," Smith said in a Cricket Australia press release.
After making his debut against the West Indies in 2010 as a leg-spinning all-rounder, Smith went on to play 170 ODIs, scoring 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28. He smacked 12 centuries and 35 half-centuries, and was a member of Australia's 2015 and 2023 World Cup-winning teams.
"Winning two World Cups was a great highlight... Now is a great opportunity for people to start preparing for the 2027 World Cup so it feels like the right time to make way."
Test cricket remains a priority and I am really looking forward to the World Test Championship Final [in June], the West Indies in the winter and then England at home. I feel I still have a lot to contribute on that stage."
Smith, who also took 28 wickets at 34.67, was the Australian men's ODI player of the year in 2015 and 2021. He was also in the ICC men's ODI team of the year in 2015.
