Mohammed Shami is one of the most respected as well as feared bowlers around the world currently. It is reasonable to say that what we have been seeing of Shami from the start of 2019 is Shami 2.0. He is lean, fit and consistent. Earlier he would blow hot and cold but now he charges in with the same intensity every time he comes on to bowl.
The old Shami did give promising signs too, especially in his very first test match at the Eden Gardens in 2013 where he showcased his mastery of reverse swing to bamboozle the West Indian batsmen. However, the promise came the struggles as well.
He was out with an injury in 2014 and post the 2015 World Cup he was again out with a knee injury for almost 15 months. The return was not easier as he remained in the midst of a controversy involving his wife.
Shami recently revealed the long injury layoff after the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup as a result of a knee injury during the World Cup. Talking to the former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan in an Instagram live chat, Shami said, “Before the semifinal, I had told my teammates that I could not take it any longer. On the day of the match, I was in a lot of pain, I discussed it with the management and they said it would be alright.”
Shami revealed how he got the support from the captain MS Dhoni who wanted him to play as they could have tried out a new bowler is as big a game as the semifinal.
Shami was going through a purple patch in that tournament. He was one of the leading wicket-takers of the tournament. However, the inside story is unknown. Shami sheds light on his struggles throughout the tournament. “I could not walk after the matches we played throughout the tournament. The knee broke in the first match. My thighs and knees were of the same size, doctors used to take out the fluid from them every day. I used to take 3 painkillers.” He added.
He credited MS Dhoni and the management who motivated him throughout the tournament to overcome the pain barrier. After all, Shami was one of the key reasons why India had such a successful campaign at the 2015 World Cup.
Mohammed Shami can now look back at that time with pride because he was tough and determined for his country and did overcome the pain barrier. This incident is a gentle reminder for all of us how much sportspersons have to go through to make their nations proud.
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