Champions Trophy: Mohammed Shami Opens Up About His Road To Recovery Ahead Of Bangladesh Clash

February 20, 2025: Mohammed Shami, India’s right-arm seamer, shared a candid account of his journey back to international cricket ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 match against Bangladesh. Reflecting on the tough period after injuring his ankle during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Shami admitted that there were times when he thought his career might be over.

Sidelined for almost a year due to his injury, Shami was faced with self-doubt and a long rehabilitation process. However, after a successful return in recent white-ball fixtures against England, he is now ready to feature in India’s Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh.

Shami recalled the moment when he transitioned from being in peak form during the World Cup to being on the operating table, and the subsequent doubts that crept into his mind. “My first question to the doctor was ‘how many days until I can be back on the field?’ He said my priority is to get you to walk, then jog and then run, and thinking about playing competitive cricket is still a distant goal,” Shami shared.

The emotional and physical toll of the injury weighed heavily on him. “For the first two months, I often doubted whether I would be able to play again. An injury like this, followed by a 14-month break, can pull you down,” he said.

However, it was the unwavering support of his family and the encouragement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that helped Shami push through. His desire to wear the Indian jersey again kept him motivated, even during the toughest times. He vividly described the experience of trying to walk again after 60 days of immobilization: “It felt like I was starting over, like a toddler learning how to walk.”

Shami’s resilience paid off as he made his comeback and is now determined to extend his career for as long as possible. “Courage and passion to play for the country are the biggest motivators,” he added, emphasizing that the passion for representing India is what kept him going. His return to the big stage marks the triumph of perseverance, and Shami hopes to continue serving his country for years to come.