Virat has always been supportive of his fast bowlers: Mohammed Shami

During an interview with Cricbuzz, India pacer Mohammed Shami talked about captain Kohli's support and backing for his bowlers. Everyone knows that Virat Kohli is full of passion and wants to bring out the best in his fellow teammates and that motivates his bowlers to perform at the big stages. 

Under the 32-year-old’s captaincy, fast bowlers have proven to be the pinnacle of success for Team India.

"It is also indeed a phase which you can maybe attribute to the luck of this Indian team or hard work. But Virat has always been supportive of his fast bowlers while also giving us freedom on the ground. He only jumps in when our plans fail, otherwise, we're free as a bowling unit to do as we please. He has always been very supportive," Shami told Cricbuzz.

Shami revealed that Kohli gives his bowlers complete freedom and never puts them under pressure. The captain attempts to calm his bowlers' nerves by cracking some jokes.

"As far as our fast-bowling unit or I am concerned as an individual, he has never put any undue pressure on any of us. Usually, there's a doubt in a bowler's mind before he approaches his captain. That has never been the case with Virat. He has no air about himself. He jokes around with us, behaves as if he's our childhood friend," Shami added.

"This leads to a lot of fun on the ground too. Sometimes there's fun banter, sometimes we also end up saying aggressive things to each other but we never mind it because it happens in the heat of the moment."

Pacers have taken over 450 wickets in 60 Tests since Virat Kohli assumed the captaincy in 2014. These numbers are a testament to the dominance of Indian fast bowlers under Kohli's leadership.