5 quotes by Mohammed Shami: the mercurial pacer

These are troubled times for Mohammed Shami. Following a successful tour of South Africa where he was the joint highest wicket taker in the Test series bagging 15 wickets, Shami's return to India has been marred by turbulence. Initially, his wife's charges of adultery against him stirred a controversy. Subsequently, the BCCI did not include his name in the list of players handed the renewed contract.

However, all this should not take away from the wonderful bowler that the 27-year-old is. The Bengal bowler is the 3rd fastest Indian pacer to reach 100 Test wickets. This article brings you five quotes from Shami which would help you get into his head.

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#1 On the Captain's decisions

Virat Kohli was criticised for underbowling Shami on the South Africa tour.

Mohammad Shami was on fire in the first session on Day 4 of the second Test between India and South Africa. He had picked up 4 crucial wickets and looked all set to bag a fiver. Strangely, Virat Kohli did not throw the ball to the pacer in the second session which led him to miss his five-wicket haul.

When Shami faced the media at the end of the day, he made his disappointment known to all, mentioning at the same time that the captain's decision is final and all-binding. Virat Kohli was later criticized for under bowling Shami on the tour.

#2 On sledging

In Test cricket, some of Shami's best spells have come upon been provoked

Shami is generally a laid-back type of cricketer due to which he looks a bit docile for a fast bowler at times. Probably, this is what frustrates the fans sometimes. It is no secret that the right-armer bowls his best when he gets fired up.

In Test cricket, some of Shami's best spells have come to the fore when someone has needled him. A case in point is his nasty spell to Sri Lankan keeper Niroshan Dickwella after the left-hander provoked him.

#3 On the pink ball

Shami enjoyed his first experience with the pink ball

Shami was part of the first pink-ball match to be played in India. In the match between club teams Mohun Bagan and Bhowanipore, Shami bagged a fiver in the first innings. He backed it up with a couple of wickets in the second innings, taking Mohun Bagan to a victory.

Shami enjoyed his first experience with the pink ball and said that the pink ball had more swing to offer than the season ball. It wobbled a lot under the lights and also reversed a tad bit.

#4 On his body

This makes it imperative for Shami to manage his body well given his sustained workload

Indian fast bowlers of the yesteryear started around the 140 kmph mark but lost their pace with time. The primary reason for this was that they could not cope up with the toll that bowling quick took on their body.

This makes it imperative for Shami to manage his body well, given his sustained workload. There comes a moment in the life of all sports persons when they begin to know their body well. The fact that Shami has understood his body early would certainly help him in the long run.

#5 On longevity

Shami's injuries frequently keep him out of the game

Having made both his Test and ODI debut in 2013, it has already been five years since Shami has been playing international cricket. Considering that he is 27 years old, he easily has another five years of cricket left in him.

But we all know that Shami does not possess a very athletic body. His recurring injuries frequently keep him out of the game. Shami had to take a long break following his knee surgery after the 2015 World Cup. In such a scenario, understanding his limitations and working accordingly may lead him to play an extra couple of years of international cricket.