Mohammed Shami has emerged as a notable figure among the world’s top fast bowlers in 2023, displaying exceptional consistency with his right-arm pace consistently hovering around 140 km/h. Shami surprised everyone on November 15, 2023, during the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final played between India and New Zealand, by taking seven wickets, a new record for an Indian bowler in a World Cup match. Shami finished the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker, with an outstanding record of 24 wickets across seven games. This achievement solidified his status as a force to be reckoned with in fast bowling.
Shami’s journey, however, was not without its difficulties, and there were times when he considered retiring from cricket and even had suicidal thoughts. Let’s delve into the life story of Mohammed Shami to gain a deeper understanding of his career.
Early Life
Shami was born on September 3, 1990, in Sahaspur, Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, India. He is the farmer’s son of Tauseef Ali and Anjum Begum. Shami is the youngest of four siblings, with two older brothers and two younger sisters. Shami began playing cricket early and started as a medium pacer. His instructor, Badruddin Siddique, urged him to concentrate on fast bowling. Shami was chosen for the Uttar Pradesh Under-19 cricket team in 2008. In 2010, he made his senior team debut for Uttar Pradesh.
IPL and Domestic Career
In the 2011 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) picked Shami. He debuted in the IPL in 2013 and has since played for the Delhi Daredevils, Punjab Kings, and Gujarat Titans. Shami has represented Bengal and Bengal in domestic cricket. He has been a steady performer in domestic cricket, taking over 400 first-class wickets.
International Career
In January 2013, Shami made his international debut for India in an ODI against Pakistan. In his debut encounter, he got four wickets and wowed everyone with his pace and swing. In November 2013, Shami made his Test debut for India against the West Indies. In his maiden encounter, he grabbed nine wickets, the most by an Indian fast bowler on debut. Since his debut, Shami has been a regular member of the Indian cricket team. He has appeared in nearly 60 Tests, 80 One-Day Internationals, and 50 Twenty20 Internationals for India. He has over 200 Test wickets, over 150 ODI wickets, and 50 T20I wickets. Shami has played an essential role in the Indian cricket team’s many victories. He was instrumental in India’s victories at the 2015 Cricket World Cup and the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
Controversy
During an Instagram live with Rohit in May 2020, Shami made a surprising admission that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world: he was once battling suicidal thoughts. There were numerous reasons. In March 2018, Shami’s now ex-wife, Hasin Jahan, accused him of match-fixing, domestic violence, and adultery. She filed a police complaint against him and his brother, which resulted in their arrest and charge under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Furthermore, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) established an Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) to probe the match-fixing claims leveled against the Indian bowler by his wife. The ACU performed a thorough investigation, gave a clean chit to Shami, and cleared him of any anti-Indian implications.
After facing this controversy, Mohammad Shami embarked on a journey to bounce back from such a setback. The 2023 World Cup witnessed him dedicating himself entirely to the game. The path was challenging and demanding, but it wasn’t devoid of moments of triumph.
