India, March 5 -- Mohammed Shami is India's highest wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy with eight scalps. That's par for the course. In ICC white-ball events, Shami has been India's most consistent bowler. The pitches in Dubai have been slow and spin-friendly, but Shami has found ways to keep picking wickets.

A lot of it is down to Shami's desire to excel. When Shami, 34, missed his fitness battle to make it to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, people wondered if the bowler, sidelined after the 2023 World Cup, would ever make it back after ankle and knee injuries, leave alone hit peak form and fitness.

"God has been kind, I am working hard," he said after his 3 wickets helped India beat Australia in the Champions Trophy ...