Mhambrey also said that India ticked some important boxes in the 100-run win over England.
“It’s important to carry some momentum. You have to keep checking one box or the other in every game. This was a tough game. We needed this game. The first time we struck first, defended a small goal, in difficult conditions, in the dew… many things were against us. Just the way we came back and fought was unbelievable. Every game is important for us.
“The middle order was also tested. This was an opportunity but conditions were difficult. The ball didn’t come to the bat, it spun. There are some areas where we can still improve and we will learn from here and talk about them and work on them.”
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With the absence of the injured Hardik Pandya necessitating some changes in the line-up, Shami came off the bench in Dharamsala against New Zealand to take 5/45 and then took 4/22 in the dominant win against England here on Sunday.
“The decision the management took was (that) we pick teams looking at the wicket, the right combination on that wicket,” Mhambrey said, “Earlier too, Ash (Ashwin) missed, Shami missed. It’s very difficult to take such a call but in the interest of the team you have to take the call. That is the communication that has been with the players… they are informed accordingly. He (Shami) knows that.”
On how the backroom staff plans strategy and tactics with the likes of Shami and Bumrah, Mhambrey said, “It’s about man management at this level. They have played enough cricket. They understand their bowling in and out. It’s not about the technical but the tactics (that’s important). You have to execute your plans. The credit goes to them. A lot of discussion and work is done behind the scenes but it’s all about the execution.”