Indian star Mohammed Shami is currently on the sidelines, recovering from an ankle injury that has kept him off the field for months.
The right-handed batsman has not played a competitive match since shining with the bat in last year’s ODI World Cup. His last competitive match was the World Cup final in November. He had finished the tournament as the highest wicket-taker despite not getting a chance in the 11th over in the first four matches.
In seven matches, Mohammed Shami had picked up an impressive tally of 24 wickets with the help of three five-wicket hauls and one four-wicket haul. What makes his performance even more remarkable is that he did it with an injured ankle. He played in pain throughout the competition and had to undergo injections to treat his ankle.
Shortly after the World Cup, he was sidelined and has not returned to action since. He also had to undergo surgery on his right Achilles tendon in London. Due to the long-term injury, the star player missed the tour of South Africa, the home Test series against England, the IPL 2024 and last month’s T20 World Cup which India won.
And while Mohammed Shami spent time on the sidelines watching his teammates play for Team India, only two of his teammates called him to check on him. Speaking to the Shubhankar Mishra podcast, he revealed that only Virat Kohli and Ishant Kishan called him while he was out of action.
“Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma are my best friends. They are the ones who call me and check on me when I am injured or recovering,” Mohammed Shami said.
Mohammed Shami said: “Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma are my best friends – they are the ones who call me and check on me when I am injured and recovering.” [Shubhankar Mishra YT] photo.twitter.com/o1pa6yT9xF
— Johns (@CricCrazyJohns) July 19, 2024
When Virat Kohli defended Mohammed Shami:
In fact, Mohammed Shami shares a very good and close bond with Virat Kohli. In 2021, Kohli came out in support of his teammate after trolls attacked him following India’s 10-wicket loss against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. The trolls had
“Attacking someone for their religion is the most pathetic thing a human being can do. It’s a very sacred and personal thing. People are venting their frustration because they don’t understand what we do,” Kohli had said at the time.
Meanwhile, Kohli will be in action soon when India take on Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series. The series is scheduled to begin on August 2. Kohli has not played a competitive match since the conclusion of the T20 World Cup.
