Mohammed Shami is not part of the Indian squad announced for the five-match Test series against England starting from June 20. The first Test match will be played at Headingley and fans from both sides are eagerly waiting for the series to begin.
Along with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the absence of Shami is a huge blow to the Indian side. He would have been a perfect partner for Jasprit Bumrah in the English conditions. However, an unfortunate knee injury has sidelined him from the series.
Despite getting ruled out, Mohammed Shami is still working hard on his fitness back home to get fit for the series. Shami has been part of previous trips to England and has bowled superbly well in the conditions.
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Ravi Shastri Recalls India's Win At Johannesburg
Meanwhile, while talking about him, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri recalled his bowling spell against South Africa in the Johannesburg Test in 2018. The Proteas needed 240 runs to win in the second innings and India won the match by 63 runs courtesy of Shami's brilliance with the ball in the second innings.
He took a fifer to trigger a collapse for the Proteas. Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah took two wickets each as well. However, South Africa won the Test series courtesy of winning the first two Test matches.
"It was Johannesburg. Final day. There was enough heat in that game. That match on the last day, they needed 240, just 100 runs to get. Eight wickets in hand. It was lunchtime and as I was walking past, Shami's plate. He had a massive helping of biryani there," he said.
Former India bowling coach Arun revealed that Shastri then asked the veteran bowler if his hunger was over after having that biriyani.
"Ravi walked across and asked him, "tera bhook idhar theek ho gaya kya?" (Is your stomach full after eating the biryani?)"
Shastri, Arun Recalls Shami's "Biriyani" Story
However, an angry Shami ditched the plate of biryani, saying he did not want to eat it. Bharat Arun further added, saying that Shastri advised him to leave Shami alone, saying if you want to talk to him, tell him to get wickets.
"Le le plate. Nahi chahiye biryani, bhaad main gaya biryani (Take the plate.I don't want the biryani. It can go to hell)," Shastri said.
The former Indian head coach then recalled how Shami bowled to get the Proteas out and then said to him to get him riled up and angry which was very typical of the Indian pacer before a good performance.
"Game over. He came over and Arun went and gave 'biryani le, ab jitna khaana hai, khaa le (Take the biryani, eat as much as you want). Humko hamesha gussa karao phir theek ho jaate hai (Make me angry all the time, then I become fine). Typical Shami," Shastri concluded saying.
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