Need to back & trust the XI that the team management has picked: Mohammed Shami

India spinner R Ashwin’s omission from the playing XI has raised some debates but pacer Mohammed Shami refused to make any comments on the selection strategies and further added that it is the team management’s call. 

“I wouldn’t like to comment on the selection. That’s a team management decision. The XI that’s there on the field will have to do the job. We need to back and trust the XI that the team management has picked. You can’t think of it [selection] too much,” the right-arm pacer said during the virtual press conference after the end of Day 2 of the third Test between India and England in Leeds. 

The Indian team was bundled out for 78 on the first day and were later thoroughly dominated by captain Joe Root, Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed and Dawid Malan to concede a 345-run lead in the first innings at the end of second day’s play.

When asked about the track, Shami admitted that the pitch doesn’t really have much on offer for the bowlers. 

“The pitch was very slow today. The key is not to overthink and understand how the wicket is behaving and adapt accordingly. If it’s slow, then the key is to bowl good line and length,” he said. 

The visitors presently lead the five-match series 1-0 after they clinched a win at Lord's Test.