Mohammed Shami: 'Those 14 months were very difficult. You feel the pain'

Mohammed Shami made an impressive return to ICC tournaments as his five-for led India to a six-wicket win over Bangladesh in their Champions Trophy 2025 opening match on Thursday. Shami took five wickets for 53 in his 10 overs, playing his first ICC event match since the 2023 ODI World Cup.

While Shami was pipped to the Player of the Match award by centurion Shubman Gill, the Bengal pacer reflected on his comeback from the injury he suffered during a successful ODI World Cup in India, where he took 24 wickets in just seven matches.

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The 34-year-old was forced to sit out of competitive cricket for more than a year due to an ankle injury and surgery.

“It was difficult to get injured and go down from the form that you had in the World Cup,” Shami told reporters after India’s win over Bangladesh. “Those 14 months were very difficult as I had to repeat all the things and that pinches you and you feel the pain. But I got those domestic matches and four international games (against England) to get my confidence back.”

Shami: ‘I always try to get wickets’

With a five-wicket haul at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday, Shami completed 60 wickets in ICC ODI tournaments, the most for an Indian bowler . On his performance in ICC tournaments, Shami said, “I always try, especially in ICC events, that even if I leak plenty of runs, I should at least get some wickets.”

Shami has always been key for India in top tournaments and has snow surpassed former quick Zaheer Khan in ICC ODI tournaments as the leading bowler with 60 wickets. Zaheer took 59.

Shami was missed in India’s recent 3-1 Test defeat in Australia as often Bumrah felt the absence of solid support form the other end.

Shami said it was equally tough for him watching from the sidelines.

“You always miss your bowling unit and the ones you’re usually with,” said Shami.

“You always think ‘I wish I could contribute as well’. You always miss that when you’re injured then you can’t do anything apart from watching games, ball by ball.”

Life comes full circle for Shami in Dubai

Life, though, has come a full circle for Shami in Dubai, a city where he was trolled with ugly social media abuse after India lost to Pakistan in the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Shami was attacked for being a Muslim and the then skipper Virat Kohli and many former players stood up for the veteran bowler.

“Social media is such these days that it can lead to some unwanted things in your mind,” said Shami when asked about the incident. “I don’t like to think about such things. People will remind you about the poor performances and it will pinch you too but I feel as a cricketer and sportsman one shouldn’t look back too much and just stay in the present, and plan for the future.”

India next take on arch-rivals Pakistan in a Sunday blockbuster.

With agency inputs