'The one thing is I have improved my fitness a lot'
India fast bowler Mohammed Shami has credited his sublime form at the Cricket World Cup to a new fitness regime he adopted after he was dropped from the squad last year following a failed 'yo-yo' test.
Shami picked up four wickets against West Indies in India's 125-run victory on Thursday which took his tally at the World Cup to eight from two matches, including a hat-trick in the final over against Afghanistan last week.
The 28-year-old came into the side after Bhuvneshwar Kumar injured his hamstring and Shami has retained his place despite Kumar regaining his fitness.
"I failed (the yo-yo test), that's true," Shami told reporters, referring to the endurance test employed by the Indian team to weed out unfit players.
"The one thing is I have improved my fitness a lot."
The yo-yo test demands players run back and forth between cones spaced 20 metres apart with increasing speed and reduced time available to complete each shuttle.
"I'm in my comfort zone, I have lost weight, my rhythm is good. Everything is going well," Shami added.
"I am trying to ensure that I maintain that rhythm (and) that diet that I have been following. The moment I lost weight I found a rhythm for myself, there is a good feeling.
"Along with that... there is less tiredness so obviously the speed will increase. As far as skill is concerned, I have full faith in myself that whatever be the wicket I can express my abilities."
India's strength and conditioning coach Shankar Basu had said last week that failing the test was a blessing in disguise for Shami.
"After that, he was a changed man, he was so determined," Basu said.
"The best part is he has changed his entire training regimen. I think training is now part of his lifestyle, which never used to be the case before."
India, second in the World Cup standings, need one more win to secure a semi-final spot and will play hosts England next on Sunday at Edgbaston.
