Mohammed Shami shares his life struggle in a new interview. In the aftermath of the Cricket World Cup 2023, the Indian cricket team’s pace sensation, Mohammed Shami, has taken center stage as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker, boasting an impressive tally of 24 scalps.
Shami’s stellar performance outshone even the likes of renowned bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja, cementing his status as a standout performer.
The pinnacle of Shami’s World Cup campaign came in the semi-final, where he etched his name in the record books by claiming a remarkable seven-wicket haul.
This achievement marked a historic first for any Indian cricket team player in the One Day International (ODI) format, solidifying Shami’s reputation as a formidable force on the global cricketing stage.
Hailing from modest beginnings in Uttar Pradesh, Shami’s journey to cricketing stardom has been characterized by resilience and determination.
Initially playing at the national level for Bengal, Shami eventually earned his coveted spot in the Indian cricket team, showcasing his prowess as a fast bowler.
In a recent interview on PUMA’s YouTube channel, Shami opened up about his interests outside of cricket, revealing a passion for traveling, fishing, and driving.
“I like travelling, fishing. I like driving a lot. I like driving bike and cars. But after playing for India, I have stopped driving bikes. What if I get injured? I drive bike on highways, may be sometimes in village when I go to meet my mom,” Mohammed Shami said on PUMA’s YouTubechannel.
“Zameen se hi aaya hu. Kheto ki jo booghi hoti hai, I have driven tractor, bus, trucks. I have driven bus in truck. One of my school friends had a truck in his house. He told me to drive. I was small then and was driving on a ground. I drove our tractor into the pond too. My father scolded me.”
However, he admitted to curbing his bike rides since joining the national team due to injury concerns. Shami shared anecdotes from his upbringing, recounting experiences of driving tractors, buses, and trucks amidst the fields of his hometown.
The cricketer shed light on the challenges he faced during the selection trials for Uttar Pradesh, where an unusual criterion was set by the chief selector — the ability to move the selector’s chair.
Despite his brother’s bold assertion that he could not only move the chair but also turn it upside down, Shami’s selection was denied, leading his family to disengage from UP cricket.
“My brother was told, ‘Agar meri kursi hila sakte ho to ladka select ho jayega, bohot acha hai, warna sorry’ (If you can move my chair, the boy will be selected). My brother gave one reply ‘forget moving the chair, I can turn it upside down, I have that much power.’ But I don’t want that, if I have the capability I should selected. He was told that people with capability are of no use here. My brother tore up the form and said that after today we will not involve ourselves in UP cricket. That was my last day in UP cricket,” Mohammed Shami said during the interview.
“Then I moved to Calcutta at the age of 14-15. I talked to my coach. I became steadfast that I have to play. I was getting lot of experience. After three-four years, I went to Arun Lal academy. It was a cement pitch. The place for run-up was short. I was surprised. But still I bowled. Then they told me to have lunch. I was against surprised as they gave break and chickpeas curry. I thought I will get rice and daal too.
“I got experience and got an offer from a club, but they were not paying. The struggle went on and then one day I was given Rs 25,000 by a club official.”
Undeterred, Shami made a pivotal decision to move to Kolkata at the age of 14-15, displaying unwavering commitment to his cricketing aspirations. Despite encountering challenges such as playing on a short run-up cement pitch and facing unconventional lunches, Shami persevered, eventually finding his footing.
His journey reached a turning point when a club official provided him with Rs 25,000, offering a glimmer of financial stability amid the struggles. This episode underscored Shami’s resilience and determination, qualities that have defined his remarkable cricketing career.
As Mohammed Shami shares his life struggle, Mohammed Shami’s ascent to becoming the highest wicket-taker in the Cricket World Cup 2023 not only highlights his exceptional cricketing skills but also underscores the triumph of grit and determination over adversity.
