Mohammed Shami is a prominent Indian cricketer known for his fast bowling and significant contributions to the Indian national cricket team. Here are some key details about his life and career:
Early Life
- Full Name: Mohammed Shami Ahmed
- Date of Birth: September 3, 1990
- Place of Birth: Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Family Background: Shami comes from a modest family with a farming background. His father, Tousif Ali, was a farmer and also a fast bowler in his younger days, which inspired Shami to pursue cricket.
Domestic Career
- First-Class Debut: Shami made his first-class debut for Bengal in the 2010-11 Ranji Trophy season. He quickly gained recognition for his ability to swing the ball both ways and his consistent performances.
- IPL Career: Shami has played for several franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), including Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings. He has been particularly notable for his death-over bowling skills in the IPL.
International Career
- ODI Debut: Shami debuted in One Day Internationals (ODI) on January 6, 2013, against Pakistan. He impressed with his pace and accuracy.
- Test Debut: He made his Test debut for India on November 21, 2013, against the West Indies. In his debut match, he took 9 wickets, showcasing his potential at the highest level.
- T20I Debut: Shami’s T20 International debut came later, on March 21, 2014, against Pakistan.
Notable Performances
- 2015 World Cup: Shami was instrumental in India’s journey to the semifinals, taking 17 wickets in the tournament.
- 2019 World Cup: He took a hat-trick against Afghanistan and was one of India’s leading wicket-takers in the tournament.
- Test Matches: Shami has been particularly effective in Test cricket, known for his ability to reverse swing the old ball and his exceptional performances in home and away conditions.
Playing Style
- Bowling: Shami is a right-arm fast bowler renowned for his seam and swing bowling. His ability to generate pace and bounce, coupled with his skill in reverse swinging the ball, makes him a potent force in all formats of the game.
- Batting: While primarily a bowler, Shami has contributed valuable runs lower down the order, showing resilience and technique.
Personal Life
- Marital Status: Shami is married to Hasin Jahan, and they have a daughter named Aairah Shami. The couple has faced public controversies and legal issues, which have sometimes impacted Shami’s personal life and cricket career.
Achievements and Awards
- Arjuna Award: Shami received the prestigious Arjuna Award from the Government of India in 2019 for his contributions to Indian cricket.
- Records: He holds several records, including being the fastest Indian bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets.
Legacy
Mohammed Shami is considered one of India’s finest fast bowlers, having played crucial roles in many of India’s victories. His journey from a small village to becoming an international cricket star is an inspiring story of perseverance and talent.
Mohammed Shami’s cricket career is distinguished by his performances across all formats of the game, making him one of India’s premier fast bowlers. Here’s a detailed look at his career:
Domestic Career
- Early Years and Bengal Debut: Mohammed Shami began his domestic cricket career playing for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. He made his first-class debut in 2010, showcasing his talent with the ball and quickly rising through the ranks due to his impressive performances.
- IPL Career: Shami has played for several teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He started with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), then moved to Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), and later to Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). In the IPL, he is known for his lethal pace and effective death bowling.
International Career
Test Cricket
- Debut and Early Success: Shami made his Test debut against the West Indies on November 6, 2013. He had a dream debut, taking 9 wickets in the match, and demonstrated his ability to reverse swing the ball, especially with the old ball.
- Consistent Performer: Over the years, Shami has been a consistent performer in Test cricket, particularly effective on Indian pitches. He has formed a formidable pace attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, and Umesh Yadav.
- Key Series: Some of Shami’s notable performances include crucial spells in India’s away series in Australia and England, where his ability to swing the ball in tough conditions has been invaluable.
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
- ODI Debut: Shami made his ODI debut on January 6, 2013, against Pakistan. His initial performances were marked by his ability to maintain a disciplined line and length, along with generating movement.
- World Cup Performances: Shami played a key role in the 2015 and 2019 ICC Cricket World Cups. In the 2015 World Cup, he was India’s second-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets. In the 2019 World Cup, he took a hat-trick against Afghanistan and finished with 14 wickets from just 4 matches.
- Milestones: He became the fastest Indian bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets, achieving the milestone in 2019.
Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)
- T20I Debut: Shami debuted in T20 Internationals on March 21, 2014, against Pakistan. Although he has played fewer T20Is compared to other formats, he has been effective when called upon, particularly in key matches.
Achievements and Records
- Arjuna Award: In recognition of his contributions to Indian cricket, Shami was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2019.
- Fastest Indian to 100 ODI Wickets: Shami achieved this milestone in just 56 matches, setting a new benchmark for Indian fast bowlers.
- Hat-Trick in World Cup: His hat-trick against Afghanistan in the 2019 World Cup was a highlight of his career, making him only the second Indian to achieve this feat in World Cup history.
Playing Style
- Bowling: Shami is a right-arm fast bowler known for his ability to swing the ball both ways. He is particularly adept at reverse swinging the old ball, making him a potent force in the latter stages of innings. His pace, accuracy, and ability to generate bounce make him a versatile bowler in all conditions.
- Batting: While primarily a bowler, Shami has occasionally contributed valuable runs with the bat, often providing crucial lower-order resistance.
Impact and Legacy
Mohammed Shami’s career has had a significant impact on Indian cricket, especially in the fast bowling department. His rise has been instrumental in India developing a formidable pace attack capable of competing on any surface around the world. Shami’s resilience, skill, and dedication have earned him a place among the top fast bowlers in the history of Indian cricket.
Here’s a tabular summary of Mohammed Shami’s cricket career:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mohammed Shami Ahmed |
| Date of Birth | September 3, 1990 |
| Place of Birth | Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Role | Bowler |
| Batting Style | Right-hand bat |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast-medium |
| Domestic Teams | Bengal, Kings XI Punjab/Punjab Kings, Delhi Daredevils, Gujarat Titans |
| International Debut | Test: November 21, 2013, vs West Indies<br>ODI: January 6, 2013, vs Pakistan<br>T20I: March 21, 2014, vs Pakistan |
| Test Career | Matches: 65<br>Wickets: 225<br>Average: 27.48<br>Best Bowling: 6/56<br>Five-wicket hauls: 6<br>Ten-wicket hauls: 0 |
| ODI Career | Matches: 94<br>Wickets: 171<br>Average: 25.83<br>Best Bowling: 5/69<br>Five-wicket hauls: 1 |
| T20I Career | Matches: 23<br>Wickets: 24<br>Average: 28.62<br>Best Bowling: 3/15<br>Five-wicket hauls: 0 |
| Indian Premier League (IPL) | Matches: 104<br>Wickets: 115<br>Average: 27.75<br>Best Bowling: 3/15 |
| Major Achievements | – Key player in India’s fast-bowling attack across formats<br>- Part of the Indian squad in multiple ICC tournaments<br>- Known for his reverse swing and ability to bowl yorkers |
| Notable Series/Tournaments | – ICC Cricket World Cup 2015<br>- ICC Cricket World Cup 2019<br>- ICC T20 World Cup 2014, 2021<br>- Border-Gavaskar Trophy |
| Injuries and Comebacks | Shami has faced multiple injuries but has made significant comebacks, maintaining his position as a premier fast bowler for India. |
Mohammed Shami has established himself as one of India’s leading fast bowlers, known for his pace, seam movement, and reverse swing. His contributions have been critical in various matches and series, making him a valuable asset to the Indian cricket team.
