In a past conversation with News24, veteran Indian pacer Mohammad Shami addressed the question of recognition compared to his senior teammates like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rohit Sharma with characteristic grace and humility.
But Shami has a remarkable comeback story, Mohammed Shami has earned his spot in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad after being sidelined for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in December 2024. The veteran pacer proved his form in domestic cricket, claiming three wickets in a crucial preliminary quarter-final match for Bengal against Haryana. This selection follows his extraordinary performance in the 2023 World Cup, where he emerged as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets in just 7 innings, breaking Zaheer Khan’s record of 21 wickets in the 2011 World Cup. Shami’s resilience and consistent performance demonstrate the true spirit of a champion’s return.
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Upon asking “Why can’t Shami make his place in the playing 11 with other big players like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma? Why does he get a chance when some players leave the spot for him?”
“It depends on their(selectors) mindset on how do they select the team. As far as respect is concerned i am standing here because of the respect and reputation that i have earned. I have always filled my role and responsibilities for the team whenever i got a chance.” Shami said
Shami’s response reflected his selfless approach to the game. He emphasized that his focus remains solely on fulfilling his responsibilities for the team, leaving the matter of recognition to the selectors.
Shami’s humble response exemplifies his professional attitude, highlighting his commitment to performance over personal acclaim. Throughout his career, the fast bowler has consistently delivered crucial performances for India across all formats, often proving to be a match-winner in critical situations.
