Mohammed Shami has always been more than just a fast bowler. For many, he is an inspiration, someone who rose from a small town in Uttar Pradesh to become one of India’s finest cricketers. His journey from Amroha to the big stage was not easy. After failing to break through in Uttar Pradesh cricket, he moved to Bengal, and from there, his career took off. Today, his record speaks for itself: 64 Tests with 229 wickets, 108 ODIs with 206 wickets, and 25 T20Is with 27 wickets. He also finished as the top wicket-taker in the 2023 ODI World Cup with 24 scalps and shone again in the 2025 Champions Trophy with nine wickets.
Yet, despite such achievements, Shami has often found himself facing online abuse. After India’s loss to Pakistan in the 2021 T20 World Cup, trolls called him names like “traitor” and “anti-national.”
Does Religion Affect Trolls’ Behaviour?
In a recent interview with News24, Shami was asked a tough question, do Muslim cricketers face more trolling, especially when India plays Pakistan? His reply was blunt.
“I pay no heed to such trolling. I have been given a job. I am not a machine. If I am working hard throughout the year, sometimes I will fail, sometimes I will succeed. It’s up to people how they want to take that,” he said.
He added that when you represent your country, nothing else matters, only wickets and victories. “When you’re playing, you need to stay far away from such things. True fans will never do such things. If you think you can do better than me, please come and try. It’s always open.”
Mohammed Shami On Retirement Talks
Shami also dismissed speculation about his retirement. Instead, he made it clear that his love for the game is far from over.
“If someone has a problem, tell me, if your life becomes better with my retirement, say it. Whose life have I become a rock in? The day I get bored, I will leave. You don’t pick me for internationals, I will play domestic. I will keep playing somewhere or the other,” he told News24.
From being unfairly targeted online to proving himself on the pitch, Shami’s journey shows grit and resilience. Trolls may type from behind a screen, but Shami’s words make one thing clear, his focus will always remain on the game, not the noise.
Inputs from agencies
Yet, despite such achievements, Shami has often found himself facing online abuse. After India’s loss to Pakistan in the 2021 T20 World Cup, trolls called him names like “traitor” and “anti-national.”
Does Religion Affect Trolls’ Behaviour?
In a recent interview with News24, Shami was asked a tough question, do Muslim cricketers face more trolling, especially when India plays Pakistan? His reply was blunt.
“I pay no heed to such trolling. I have been given a job. I am not a machine. If I am working hard throughout the year, sometimes I will fail, sometimes I will succeed. It’s up to people how they want to take that,” he said.
He added that when you represent your country, nothing else matters, only wickets and victories. “When you’re playing, you need to stay far away from such things. True fans will never do such things. If you think you can do better than me, please come and try. It’s always open.”
Mohammed Shami On Retirement Talks
Shami also dismissed speculation about his retirement. Instead, he made it clear that his love for the game is far from over.
“If someone has a problem, tell me, if your life becomes better with my retirement, say it. Whose life have I become a rock in? The day I get bored, I will leave. You don’t pick me for internationals, I will play domestic. I will keep playing somewhere or the other,” he told News24.
From being unfairly targeted online to proving himself on the pitch, Shami’s journey shows grit and resilience. Trolls may type from behind a screen, but Shami’s words make one thing clear, his focus will always remain on the game, not the noise.
Inputs from agencies
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