The cricketing world thrives on speculation, and few names stir the pot quite like Mohammed Shami. As whispers of his potential retirement from Test cricket gained traction especially after the high profile exits of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma fans and pundits alike braced for a seismic shift in India’s bowling arsenal. But in a dramatic twist, Shami himself silenced the rumor mill with the same fiery resolve that has defined his career.
The Rumor Mill and Shami’s Fiery Rebuttal
It started innocuously enough: an online report suggested that Shami, after a long injury layoff and a challenging IPL season, was contemplating stepping away from the longest format. Social media erupted. Was this the end of an era? Would India lose another pillar of its Test side?
Shami’s response was swift and unequivocal. Taking to Instagram, he lashed out at the report, calling it “the worst news I’ve seen today.” His words, sharp and unapologetic, cut through the speculation: “Start counting the days to bid farewell to your own job before commenting on my retirement. People like you have completely destroyed journalism. Try making one accurate prediction about a player’s future. This is the worst news I’ve seen today. Sorry.” Said by Shami.
His message was clear: he’s far from finished. For Shami, the red ball still beckons, and the hunger to don India’s whites remains undiminished.
Shami’s IPL 2025 Journey
Sunrisers Hyderabad, Shami went through the full cycle of a fast bowler’s highs and lows: elation, despair, glory, and shame. One match in particular became the talk of the tournament. In Sunriser’s match against Punjab Kings, Shami had a nightmare – leaking 75 runs in four overs (the most expensive figures ever by an Indian bowler in IPL history) with the Punjab batsmen – led by Shreyas Iyer’s 82 off 36 balls – showing him no mercy. The scoreboard told it all: 245 runs for six with the haunting figures of 75 seared into the record books.
But in trouble, Shami’s character came through. Later in the season, he also had a unique IPL record – as the only bowler in IPL history to take a wicket with the first ball of an innings four times. His latest wicket was CSK’s Shaik Rasheed who was out to a classic Shami delivery; seam upright, brought the ball back off the pitch and a thick edge to slip.
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy |
Mohammad Shami | 9 | 6 | 28/2 | 11.23 |
Also read: Ahmedabad to Host IPL 2025 Final? Here’s the Reason Behind the Shift from Eden Gardens
Resilience and Legacy
Shami’s story is more than metrics and headlines. It is a story of resilience, of bouncing back from injury, and of performances that silence on the biggest stage. After recovering from injury, he rejoined the domestic and on the final day of the competition picked up seven wickets for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, demonstrating he was still fully capable of performing at the highest level, even in a minor domestic setting.
The memories of his efforts from the 2023 World Cup, 24 wickets in just seven knocks, getting India to the final and finishing top wicket-taker, are still fresh. These numbers are not just numbers, but instead they are written into the legacy of a bowler who’s not going to go quietly into the night.
Teammates often speak of Shami’s infectious energy and fighting spirit in the dressing room. “He’s a warrior,” one teammate remarked after the World Cup, “and you never count him out, no matter the situation.”
Looking Ahead: The Fire Still Burns
Though Shami is currently facing scrutiny and speculation, his message is clear: he is not finished. With 229 wickets in 64 Tests, 162 in 108 ODIs, and 462 wickets overall, there is no doubt he will go down as an integral part of Indian cricket history. Shami’s presence will be crucial as India head into their next Test series, this time against England, both as a bowler and a plant to stand up against anything that hurdles in his way.
At the end of the day, the speculation has made us aware for one positive reason: it reminded fans of the raw pace, no-nonsense, determination, and ability to make setbacks far less significant. For the moment at least the red ball is still in Shami’s hand. The story continues!
Written By Smita Singh
