DUBAI: India`s pace spearhead Mohammed Shami on Thursday said he came into the ICC Champions Trophy with an eye on taking regular wickets after he returned to international cricket from a career-threatening injury.

Shami claimed impressive figures of 5-53 to set up India`s six-wicket win over Bangladesh in their opening match of the 50-over tournament in Dubai.

The 34-year-old stepped up in the absence of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who was forced to miss the event due to a back injury.Shami himself only returned to competitive cricket late last year after a string of injuries including ankle, heel and knee which delayed his recovery since his last match in the 2023 ODI World Cup final.

Shami was India`s star bowler in the 50-over World Cup at home with 24 wickets in seven matches but the team lost the final to Australia in Ahmedabad.

`It was difficult to get injured and go down from the form that you had in the World Cup,` Shami told reporters.`Those 14 months were very difficult as I had to repeat all the things and that pinches you and you feel the pain. But I got those domestic matches and four international games (against England) to get my confidence back.

On his performance in ICC tournaments, Shami said, `I always try, especially in ICC events, that even if I leak plenty of runs, I should at least get some wickets.

Shami has always been key for India in top tournaments and has snow surpassed former quick Zaheer Khan in ICC ODI tour-naments as the leading bowler with 60 wickets. Zaheer took 59.

Shami was missed in India`s recent 3-1 Test defeat in Australia as often Bumrah felt the absence of solid support form the other end.

Meanwhile, opener Shubman Gill was happy to have finished the job on a difficult track after his unbeaten 101 guided India to victory over Bangladesh.

The Indian dressing room had sent out a message to Gill to not give up his wicket as they came under pressure losing threewickets within 32 runs during the chase, the player-of-the-match revealed during the post-match presentation.

`At one point, there was a bit of pressure on us. The message was sent from outside that I have to try to bat till the end and that`s what I tried to do,` Gill said after completing his eighth century in ODIs.`Definitely one of the most satisfying innings that I have played and my first century in ICC events. Very satisfying and very happy with the way I performed.`-Agencies