Mohammed Shami Reveals Why He Never Goes Close To The Pitch Before The Match

In a dramatic showdown in Ahmedabad, Team India's dream run in the tournament came to a heartbreaking conclusion as Australia secured their sixth title with a six-wicket victory on Sunday. Despite the early promise set by the tournament's leading wicket-taker, pacer Mohammed Shami, who claimed David Warner on his first ball, India couldn't capitalize on the momentum.

Mohammed Shami emerged as the standout sportsperson of the tournament, showcasing his bowling prowess with an impressive tally of 24 wickets from eight games, including three remarkable fifers. His fiery start in the final added to his tournament-leading wicket count, setting the tone for a thrilling contest. Shami's journey since 2015 has been akin to a movie script, filled with resilience and stellar performances.

During a visit to the PUMA brand's headquarters in Bengaluru, where he serves as the brand ambassador, Shami opened up in an extensive interview, offering insights into his cricketing journey, experiences in the tournament, and the emotions associated with representing Team India on the global stage. As India reflects on their journey in the tournament, Shami's exceptional performance remains a standout highlight, despite the ultimate heartbreak in the final against Australia.

“Nobody knew the pain I was dealing with [during the 2015 edition],” Shami confessed during a candid chat with PUMA as he revealed his success mantra of not taking a close look at the wicket before the start of the match, just to keep himself relaxed.

In the exclusive interview, Shami also opened up about various facets of his difficult yet impressive cricketing journey, right from scoring a century as an opener in his first leather ball match, earning money through cricket for the first time at around 16 years of age, overcoming personal challenges bravely, creating an old-school training set-up at farmhouse, to maiden India call-up and many more as the compelling interview was uploaded by PUMA on its YouTube channel today.

“I had swelling in my knee before the 2015 tournament. Someone else could have said no but I have the ability to bear pain and I was told two options—either directly go for surgery or play the tournament and then go for the surgery. While the team would return to the hotel after every match, I would go to the hospital to take the injection. When you play for the country, you forget everything,“ Shami shared in the interview.

Shami underwent a knee operation. “I was unconscious for two hours. When I woke up, I asked the doctor when I could start playing. He replied, ‘It will be a big achievement if you walk without a limp, forget playing. It all depends on how you go about your rehab,” Shami said.

Shami has not looked back since. His comeback journey has been visibly inspirational. He not only surpassed the likes of bowling greats to become the highest wicket-taker for the country in the world’s biggest cricket tournament with 55 wickets from 18 matches, but also created history earlier in the semi-finals when he registered India’s best ODI bowling figures of 7-57.

The 33-year-old shared his secret that helps him perform better. “Generally, bowlers check the pitch after arriving at the ground. I never go close to the wicket because you will know how it behaves only when you bowl on it. Then why take the pressure? It’s best to keep it simple, keep yourself relaxed and only then you will perform better,” said Shami, as he also revealed that he doesn’t follow any pre-match ritual.

“Better hai aap subah utho, mast fresh hojao, chaay peeyo, gaane suno [it’s better you wake up, get fresh, have tea and listen to songs] ” he added.

Talking about PUMA’s revolutionary Let There Be Sport initiative and the importance of sports culture in the country, Shami commented, “If the child has the talent, he should be supported. It’s not necessary that every child will study and become an engineer or sit in top position. If your child is talented, he can reach greater heights in sports as well.”

Although Shami was in stellar form in the tournament, he had to sit out for the initial few matches. In the interview, he shared that it bothered him but the team’s performance made him happy. “When you sit out for four matches, you need to be mentally strong. Sometimes you are under pressure but when you see the team performing well and going in a good direction, it gives you satisfaction.”

He added that he doesn’t look at record books and only tries to take as many wickets as possible.