England vs India: We are in good position, tells India pacer Mohammed Shami

England skipper Joe Root’s decision to bat first backfired badly as the Indian Pacers, led by Jasprit Bumrah (4/46) and Mohammed Shami (3/28) put on an impressive display to beat the hosts by 183 runs in the first test in Nottingham on Wednesday.

Mohammed Shami, who was at his fiery best on the opening day of the first Test against England, said that his team was in a ‘good position’ after bowling out the hosts for 183.

“Obviously because 183 as per me we should make a good score and take the lead. We are in a good position, because any team you bowl out for 183 at its home is a good performance,” Shami said at the post-day press conference.

“Now the thing is that we need to focus on the first hour and according to me the ball has not done much, the way we bowled in the day, we bowled in the right length and accordingly you have got wickets.

“I think, we need to focus and (it) doesn’t matter whether it is 183 or 283, you need to focus a bit and need to add runs,” the right-arm speedster added.

At the Stumps, India were 21 without losing any wickets. India’s openers Rohit Sharma (9 not out) and KL Rahul (9 not out) negotiated the burst of English pacers in the evening session.

Shami stressed that the batsmen would need to focus in the first hour.

“Our first innings, the bowling part is over. Our batting part is left. I will say only one thing, you need to play the first hour with caution, because you should not lose your focus, be in control, so the first thing is to achieve this score and then think about the lead.

“The main focus will be to score 183 and after that whatever comes,” the speedster added.