Shami: Had to work hard to get back in shape

Indian fast bowler Mohammad Shami, who has so far picked up eight wickets in the two Tests against West Indies, has revealed the effort he had put in to shed the extra kilos he had piled after being forced out of action for two months after his injury.

The 26-year-old said he had gained 15 kg and weighed 90 kg in those two months. “My biggest concern was shedding the extra weight I had put on. It took me four months to lose it and now I weigh the same as before,” he said.

Indian fast bowler Mohammad Shami, who has so far picked up eight wickets in the two Tests against West Indies, has revealed the effort he had put in to shed the extra kilos he had piled after being forced out of action for two months after his injury.

Shami, joint-quickest Indian fast bowler to 50 wickets, said it was not easy for a speedster to bowl with the same rhythm post injury.

“I could not walk and was on crutches for two months. I had decided that in my comeback game for India, I should have the same bowling rhythm as my last game. It required a lot of hard work,” Shami was quoted as saying by the BCCI.tv .

Listen to Shami's interaction with the media

The 26-year-old said he had gained 15 kg and weighed 90 kg in those two months. “My biggest concern was shedding the extra weight I had put on. It took me four months to lose it and now I weigh the same as before,” he said.

“I kept working in the gym for up to six hours every day. I was overweight, I had to get back in shape and after that, the challenge was to bowl in the same manner as I used to. It was a really tough phase, it required tremendous hard work,” he added.

Speaking about the praise he has received from head coach Anil Kumble, Shami said he was happy to know that the Indian legend was pleased with his bowling and has shown confidence in his abilities.

The two sides will next meet each other in the third Test starting Tuesday at St. Lucia.