When asked about the return of Mohammed Shami to the Test side after a long injury layoff, India captain Virat Kohli did not hesitate to call him a complete package and his gun bowler. His accuracy, penetration, bouncer and the ability to bowl with the older ball makes him a very reliable option for the captain, who knows he has someone who can be used at any stage of the game. Returning to the Test arena after having last played a Test in January 2015 in Sydney, Shami showed why Kohli has so much trust in him. On a sluggish wicket that kept getting slower by the day, Shami bowled with intent. In extremely hot conditions, he ran hard and produced the short balls. Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels, the two most experienced West Indies batsmen were sent back to the changing room by him. He got Bravo to edge a rising delivery when he was looking to cut and made full use of Samuels’ lack of footwork with a well-pitched ball on the off stump line for his 50th Test wicket. Before the two wickets, he had bowled a relentless spell in the morning that created pressure. His run-up was smooth, action clear and the just the extra effort at the time of the delivery helped him extract bounce on the Antigua wicket. Shami made a smooth return to Test cricket and his impressive spell of 20-4-6-4 with Umesh Yadav’s 18-8-41-4 put India in a commanding position on the third day as they bowled West Indies out for just 243 runs in 90.2 overs. With Ishant Sharma (20-7-44-0) keeping a tight line, the West Indies batsmen were cramped for room. “We had batted on this wicket and knew that it was a slow wicket. The plan was to bowl at a consistent spot for long periods of time and that is why we were successful,” Shami told BCCI.TV at the end of the third day’s play.On the day he became the joint quickest to 50 wickets (13 matches) among the Indian fast bowlers, Shami said he did not mind bending his back on a wicket that had little assistance for the fast bowlers. “On slow wickets, the batsmen don’t expect the short ball. So, that was our plan to bowl the short delivery as it would fetch us wickets.”

While he looked to be in good rhythm, the Bengal pacer had endured a tough time. Recalling the ordeal, he said, “It has almost been 18 months since I last played a Test. I got injured in Australia and underwent a surgery. My wife helped me a lot through the period as I was bed ridden for two months. In the same time, our baby (daughter) was born and that calmed me down as I was upset at getting injured since I was bowling really well. The birth of my baby helped me take the focus away from the game and I could reenergize myself. “Also in the same period, I had put on about 15 kgs. I resumed my training and worked really hard in the NCA and then during the preparation camp. I felt that today I could carry on from where I had left. I didn’t feel like there was any extra load. Today, I felt I bowled the same manner that I used to.” Shami said that he does not desire a specific role but is ready to take up the challenge his captain throws at him. “It depends on the captain and on the situation. I always think of ways to help my team in any given circumstances. I have pace and swing so my captain can use me at any juncture. I can also get the ball to reverse, so I can bowl with the old ball too.” While the second day was all about batting partnerships, the third day saw bowlers bowing in partnerships to drive India towards victory. Like Shami, Yadav too spoke about bowling to a plan. “The chemistry among the bowlers is very good and we are always giving confidence to each other and pushing each other through tough times on such wickets. If I see that Shami is bowling well, but is not getting wickets, then I go and compliment him and tell him to keep going. Because I know if he is bowling well from one end, it will only help the other bowler from the other end. If we don't bowl to plan and don't complement each other, it will be difficult for us (to get wickets). (It is) all about backing each other and supporting your teammates. We are always sharing jokes and laughing and that helps us get through difficult times on difficult pitches."