Mumbai spell will give Mohammed Shami confidence for ODI cricket: Parthiv Patel-OxBig News Network

Former India cricketer-turned-commentator Parthiv Patel believes Mohammed Shami’s impactful spell in India’s fifth T20I victory over England will serve as a major confidence booster ahead of the upcoming ODI series and the Champions Trophy. Shami, returning to the national team after a lengthy injury layoff, marked his comeback with a stellar 3/25 spell in Mumbai on February 3, helping India dismantle England by 150 runs.

Shami had gone wicket-less in his first match back during the third T20I in Rajkot, but he bounced back emphatically at the Wankhede Stadium. Speaking to Star Sports post-match, Patel emphasised how this performance could reignite Shami’s rhythm in ODI cricket, which will be crucial given India’s busy 50-over schedule. With the Champions Trophy just weeks away, the veteran pacer’s return to form strengthens India’s pace attack at a vital juncture.

IND vs ENG, 5th T20I: Highlights

“He (Shami) got his first wickets after 444 days without international cricket. He came and didn’t have a good first-over, but you need a bit of luck, obviously. To be out of international cricket for so long, it’s not easy, and especially when you’re coming in on a very flat wicket, where the opposition are going to go after you because you are chasing 247,” Parthiv Patel said.

“Good that Shami got a couple of wickets. Just to get a couple of wickets will give Shami that confidence for going into 50-over cricket,” he added.

In Mumbai, Shami replaced Arshdeep Singh in the playing XI, and the decision proved to be fruitful. His ability to generate movement and exploit England’s aggressive intent played a crucial role in India’s dominant win. Although his spell was somewhat overshadowed by Abhishek Sharma’s blistering 135 off 54 balls—highlighted by a record-breaking 37-ball century—Shami’s return to wicket-taking form was one of the biggest positives for India.

Shami’s experience and skill will be invaluable as he will now join India’s ODI squad for the three-match series against England, starting February 6 in Nagpur. The upcoming series will serve as a testing ground for India’s combinations ahead of the Champions Trophy, where Shami is already named in the 15-member squad. His ability to lead the pace attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah will be key as India fine-tunes its strategies for the high-stakes tournament.