ICC World Twenty20: Mohammed Shami has worked really hard all this while, says Rohit Sharma

Rohit pointed out that the Indian team expects a lot from Shami.

New Delhi: India pacer Mohammed Shami's return after a lengthy injury spell comes as a positive note for the in-form hosts in the ongoing ICC World Twenty20. And batsman Rohit Sharma praised the pacer and said he has worked really hard all this while after Shami impressed in India's warm-up victory against West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Thursday.

India beat West Indies by 45 runs and Shami's figures of 4-0-30-2 highlights a sound return given what the bowler has gone through with injuries for close to a year.

Rohit Sharma said that it is not easy for a pacer to return after a knee injury and stated that the Bengal pacer has worked hard to execute plans very well.

"It's never easy for a fast bowler to come back from a knee injury. He's worked really hard. It was his first game after the layoff and he did pretty well. He's worked really hard all this while. He executed the plans really well,” said Shami.

Shami mixed his bowling very well and executed variety. Rohit was quick to point that out and said that is what Indian team expects from him.

“He bowled bouncers, yorkers, slower ones. That's what we expect from him. He was one of the main bowlers till the last time he played for India. Expectation will be there on him," Rohit said.

The opening batsman went on to add that Shami just wanted to go out in the park and play, trying to get his rhythm back.

"He worked hard at the nets yesterday, trying to get his rhythm back. He just wanted to go out in the park and play. It's about to have a feel the conditions. Once he got on, he bowled well with the new ball and did well with the old one," Rohit added.

Earlier, Shami had his knee operated last year and has struggled to make it to the team due to lack of proper recovery. He was named in the squad for the series against Australia and Sri Lanka but had to pull out. He missed the Asia Cup next after not being declared fit.

(With PTI inputs)