Mohammed Shami, 34, has been India's main man for years. He makes the ball dance with relentless accuracy and bends his back on unresponsive grounds. However, Sarah Waris questions if this is the beginning of the end for one of India's greatest athletes because time seems to be catching up with him and his body takes longer to recuperate from wounds. Fast bowlers are unquestionably affected by aging, despite their apparent prowess. The physical form decelerates. The aches and pains persist.
They start spending hours recovering when they would much better be smashing stumps and making life difficult for the opposition hitters. They are compelled to see the activity from a distance when they are more eager than ever to bowl the difficult spells in the hopes of conjuring the same enchantment when they get back.