Mohammed Shami: If Australia sledge us, India will give it back

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy that was played earlier this year was one of the most intense series played between India and Australia. Indian captain Virat Kohli and his Australia counterpart Steven Smith ensured they kept having a go at each other. While the Australians succeeded in keeping Kohli's bat silent, they went on to concede the trophy to India 1-2. Expect no pleasantries as the teams gear up for an ODI series. Making a comeback to the Indian ODI side, Mohammed Shami has warned the Australians of like-for-like response in the 8-match limited-overs (5 ODIs and 3 T20Is). ALSO READ: Virat Kohli a better ODI batsman, feels Michael Clarke

We are 100 per cent ready to take on the Australian sledging. If they sledge us, they will get the appropriate reply. It will be a tit for tat reply, Shami told India TV. From Smith to David Warner, Australia have players who do not mind chirping but this Indian side is in no mood to keep their fingers on the mouth. While Australia managed to just draw a Test series in Bangladesh 1-1, India will enter this series after sweeping Sri Lanka 9-0 across all formats in their just concluded tour.

Sledging is a part of the game. When your opposition has struck a partnership in the game, you sledge the batsmen to break their focus. We sledge but never use bad words. Sledging is very important when you have to dismiss a set batsman or break a partnership, Shami further added.

Shami battled career-threatening injuries and made a comeback to the India's ODI XI during the West Indies tour after a 2-year long hiatus. He was one of India's heroes in the 2015 World Cup but played little role in India's limited overs campaigns since. The right-arm fast bowler has impressive numbers in ODIs 91 wickets at over 24, and he is termed India's 'favourite' for the upcoming series.

I think we are performing well from the past few series. We just clean swept Sri Lanka. We are confident of winning the series, Shami added.