DUBAI: Soon after he completed his fiver-his sixth in ODIs- removing Taskin Ahmed, during India’s six-wicket win over Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday, Mohammed Shami caught the attention of fans with a flying kiss celebration towards the skies.
At the post-match press conference, the 34-year-old revealed that it was dedicated to his father Tousif Ali, who passed away in 2017. “That is for my father because he is my role model. He is always there for me,” Shami said.
Leading India’s pace battery with much aplomb, the veteran bowler registered figures of 5/53 in 10 overs, accounting for the dismissals of Soumya Sarkar (0), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (5), Jaker Ali (68), Tanzim Hasan Sakib (0) and Taskin Ahmed (3) as Bangladesh crumbled for 228 in 49.4 overs.

Ahead of the match, India captain Rohit Sharma, who had in the past expressed his frustration about the lack of clarity of on Shami’s fitness status, and had even urged the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence to issue a statement about it, backed Shami though and through, saying that it was important to see him return to action in the India jersey.
Responding to Rohit’s words backing him fully, the veteran pacer said, “Whether it’s a question of the captain or the coach, it’s very important for every player to have this support. Because when you plan for such a big tournament, if you have players who trust you, it gives you peace of mind for the captain and the team. I always try to do my best. The one who gives is sitting on top, so he will give as much as he is destined to. But I try to do the same on my side. The responsibility that I have been given, the role that I have been given, whether I am able to fulfill it. I always try to find that out.”
During the course of his magnificent performance, Shami became the fastest Indian bowler to 200 ODI wickets. The top-class speedster reached this feat in 103 innings, incidentally beating the previous-best tally of current chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who did so in 133 innings. The peerless pacer also went past Zaheer Khan’s record of 59 wickets to become India’s highest wicket-taker in ICC tournaments. Shami is not someone who craves records. “I didn’t even know the record, which you just said – may such records come in everyone’s life,” he responded, when told about his feat.

It was a superb comeback, no doubt, but for a Shami fan, the heart still years for the kind of tremendous form he showed during the 2023 World Cup, when he took 24 wickets in seven matches@10.70, with three five-wicket hauls to emerge as the highest wicket-taker ever in an ODI World Cup. The ball, it seemed was obeying his every command, it was like a puppet whose strings were being manipulated by the premier fast bowler, as his wrists did the magic, leaving even a Ben Stokes befuddled and gushing about his unbelievable skills.
Reminded about that ‘golden phase,’ Shami responded by saying that in ICC tournaments, he hunts for wickets, rather than look to just save runs. “Every person wants us to continue that form. But how long can that form last? How long can you stay in that form? No one can say anything about that. I always ask- if you are satisfied with the role you have been given. I always try to find that in my role. And I always try to do this. That in ICC events – if my ball gets hit a little – that’s okay, but I should get a wicket, then that will be better for my team. I always think about this,” he said.
It was purely his insatiable hunger for the game which propelled Shami’s India comeback, which looked a distant possibility at one stage, as medical bulletins about him kept getting complex, despite the quick featuring for Bengal in domestic cricket.
“I have your prayers for me. I just try to complete my skill with utmost loyalty. Like I have completed my 14 months – How loyal are you to that skill? How hungry are you to achieve your goal, that the form that you had left and come, how you will achieve it again. How you will get that rhythm again. You should be hungry. I always try to do this. Even if it takes me a little longer, I used to spend eight hours at the NCA (National Cricket Academy). So, my attempt was that – even if you are increasing your days by 30%, 40%, 10%, But with loyalty, is your area good? Is your rhythm good? Do you have any discomfort? I pay attention to those things. I don’t pay attention to the result. I pay attention to the present. And I always try to meet the situation that is in demand. Am I good at that or not?,” Shami said.

Dubai hasn’t always been this kind to him. On Oct 24, 2021, Shami was trolled heavily, lampooned on social media after he conceded 43-0 in 3.5 overs, as Pakistan thrashed India by 10 wickets in a T20 World Cup at the DICS. It forced the then India captain Virat Kohli to defend him vigorously in the presser.
The unfortunate incident seems to be a closed chapter for Shami, who didn’t forget to point out the evils of social media.
“I don’t think too much about it. I always say that the social media of today is such that you create some unwanted things. You always run things in the media that shouldn’t run. So, I don’t think we should think too much. The past is the past. People will definitely keep bringing up the bad performances and keep reminding you. But I think that as a cricketer, as a sportsman, you don’t need to go back. You need to live in the present and have a plan for the future,” he said.
Pleased with his ward’s comeback, Shami’s coach Badruddin told TOI, “For someone who is used to being on the cricket ground, it can be a big setback if you are out for 14 months. Negative thoughts are bound to creep in. Any other player would’ve wondered if he would ever make a comeback. However, Shami has a very strong mindset. He always remained positive. He didn’t want to come back into the Indian team unless he wasn’t 100% fit. If someone makes such a fine comeback after going through so much hardship, you can imagine how strong he is mentally. He never thought about retirement or anything. He was determined about coming back stronger from this and kept slogging at NCA during his rehab period.”
“I’m very happy with the way he bowled yesterday. Right from the first ball he looked to be in 100% rhythm. He’s back to his best. There cannot be a better comeback than this,” Badruddin said.