New Delhi: India’s generational fast bowler Mohammed Shami became the fastest Indian bowler to pick 200 wickets in the One-Day International format during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match against Bangladesh in Dubai Thursday, marking his return to the bigger stages of cricket after a 14-month long hiatus on account of injury.
The 34-year-old made a successful comeback, featuring in four white-ball matches against England last month, and now setting India’s momentum in the ongoing tournament with a five-wicket haul and conceding 53 runs in 10 overs.
It was important for Shami to deliver given the absence of India’s frontline cricketer and another generational fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, besides his own comeback from injury.
Shami picked up the fifer to reach the 200 ODI wicket milestone, achieving the feat in 103 innings and surpassing Ajit Agarkar’s record of 200 wickets in 133 innings. He is not far behind the world’s fastest bowler to reach the mark, with Australia’s left-arm speedster Mitchell Starc having done so in just one less inning (102).
Other notable bowlers after Starc and Shami in the list are Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq (104 innings), New Zealand’s Trent Boult (107 innings) and Australia’s Brett Lee (112 innings).
‘Toddler learning how to walk’
Shami had injured his ankle during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and was sidelined for nearly a year, a period marked by self-doubt and rigorous rehabilitation process.
It has been a long road back to the big stage and there were times when he thought he may never make it back at all, the right-armer said.
“From being in great form during the World Cup to suddenly finding myself on the operating table… from that form to being injured was really tough,” Shami told the International Cricket Council (ICC). “My first question to the doctor was ‘how many days until I can be back on the field’.”
His doctor’s response was a reality check. “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 revealed.
The pacer credited his family and the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) for their support during his recovery.
He reflected on the challenges he faced during his rehabilitation. “I always wondered when I would be able to put my feet on the ground again… someone who is used to running on the field constantly was now on crutches.”
Shami admitted that self-doubt crept in during the recovery. “A lot of thoughts used to run through my mind. Will I be able to do it again? Will I be able to walk without a limp? For the first two months, I often doubted whether I would be able to play again… as an injury like this followed by a 14-month break can pull you down.”
Shami shared a tough moment from his time in rehabilitation. “After 60 days, when they asked me to put my feet on the ground, you won’t believe me, but I have never been more scared to put my foot on the ground,” he said. ”It felt like I was starting over, like a toddler learning how to walk, and I was worried about any complications.”
Despite the challenges, Shami’s love for playing for India kept him going. “You endure the pain and take it one step at a time without complaints or bitterness. The passion for representing my country has brought me this far.”
He added, “My motivation has always been to serve my country for as long as possible. Because once you step away you’re just like anyone else.”
Also Read: Champions Trophy: In dream debut, Mohd Shami bowls his way into record books