Mohammed Shami is one of India’s greatest fast bowlers. He is a right-arm fast-medium bowler who swings the ball both ways, bowls with pace, and is one of the most dangerous death-over bowlers in the world.
Mohammed Shami current teams ?
He plays for India, for Bengal in domestic cricket, and for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2026.
Mohammed Shami IPL Team 2026?
Lucknow Super Giants for ₹10 crore(LSG) (traded from Sunrisers Hyderabad in an all-cash deal before the season)
Some cricketers become great because things go smoothly for them. Mohammed Shami became great the hard way — through injury, personal pain, controversy, and heartbreak. He has had his ankle operated on. He has faced allegations from his wife. He has received Islamophobic abuse on social media after a World Cup defeat. He has come back from injuries that would have ended other careers. He has had moments where he thought life was not worth living.
And yet, every time he walks onto a cricket field, he makes batters look helpless. He swings the ball. He reverses it. He hits hard lengths. He bowls beautiful yorkers. He takes wickets in the most important matches, in the most important moments.
The 2023 ODI World Cup will always be remembered as Shami’s greatest tournament. He played only seven matches. He took 24 wickets. He bowled a 7/57 against New Zealand in the semi-final — the best bowling figures by any Indian in ODI history. He became the highest wicket-taker in the history of ODI World Cups in the fewest matches.
His story is one of extraordinary talent, tremendous courage, and the kind of mental strength that no coaching manual can teach.
Mohammed Shami Quick Facts
- Full Name: Mohammed Shami Ahmed (he has said in interviews that his real name is Mohammed Shami — the “Ahmed” was added by mistake early in his career)
- Nickname: Lalaji, Shami
- Age: Mohammed Shami age is 35 years old as of April 7, 2026. He will turn 36 on September 3, 2026.
- Date of Birth: September 3, 1990
- Height: 5 feet 11 inches (181 cm)
- Weight: Approximately 75–80 kg. He has a strong, athletic build.
- Role: Right-arm fast-medium bowler. He also bats right-handed in the lower order and has scored a Test half-century.
- Batting style: Right-handed batsman.
- Bowling style: Right-arm fast-medium. Famous for upright seam presentation, swing both ways, and lethal reverse swing.
- Mohammed Shami’s father’s name: Tousif Ali (also written as Tausif Ali). He was a farmer and also a fast bowler in his younger days in UP.
- Mother’s name: Anjum Ara
- Siblings: Shami has three brothers and a sister — Mohammed Kaif (a fellow cricketer who made his List A debut for Bengal in 2021), Mohammed Haseeb, and Mohammad Asif. Sister name is
Sabina Anjum. - Birth Place: Sahaspur Alinagar village, near Amroha (also called Amroh), Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Education: Shami did his early schooling in his village. He did not pursue higher education, as cricket became his full-time focus from a young age.
- Shami’s jersey number: He wears jersey number 11 for India. For IPL teams its the same number 11.
- Religion: Islam. Shami is Muslim and is very open about his faith.
- ODI debut: January 6, 2013 vs Pakistan in Chennai. He bowled four maiden overs on debut — an amazing start.
- Test debut: November 6, 2013 vs West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. He took 9 wickets on debut — the most by any Indian fast bowler on Test debut.
- T20I debut: March 21, 2014 vs Pakistan in Dhaka (2014 ICC T20 World Cup).
- Domestic team: Bengal (also plays for Mohun Bagan in West Bengal domestic competitions).
- First-class debut: October 2010 for Bengal vs Assam (Ranji Trophy).
- IPL debut: April 2013 for Kolkata Knight Riders.
- Current IPL team: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) — traded from SRH for ₹10 crore ahead of IPL 2026.
- Previous IPL teams: Kolkata Knight Riders (2011–2013), Delhi Daredevils/Capitals (2014–2018), Punjab Kings (2019–2021), Gujarat Titans (2022–2024), Sunrisers Hyderabad (2025).
- Marital status: Separated. Shami married Hasin Jahan in 2014. They separated in 2018 after Hasin filed a case against him. The legal case is still ongoing as of April 2026. They have one daughter together.
- Daughter: Aairah Shami. She was born in 2015.
- BCCI contract: Grade A — ₹5 crore per year. One of India’s most senior and valued players.
- IPL salary: ₹10 crore per season (Lucknow Super Giants, 2026).
- Major awards: Arjuna Award (2023) — India’s highest sports honour after the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna.
- Key records: Fastest Indian to 100 ODI wickets. Best ODI figures by an Indian (7/57). Most wickets in a single ODI World Cup edition for India (24 in 2023). Fastest bowler to 50 World Cup wickets. Most five-wicket hauls in ODI World Cups (4). Only the second Indian to take a World Cup hat-trick (after Chetan Sharma, 1987).
Who Is Mohammed Shami?
Mohammed Shami is one of the finest fast bowlers India has ever produced. BCCI’s official profile calls him a bowler whose smooth run-up, wrist position, and mastery over reverse swing make him a potent force in all formats. He is one of the most consistent wicket-takers in contemporary world cricket — a bowler who has been “unplayable” at times.
What makes him stand out from most Indian fast bowlers is his ability to swing the ball. He can swing the new ball both ways. He can reverse swing the old ball. Both skills in one bowler are very rare. Most pacers in India are either swingers or seamers. Shami is both.
He is also a death-over specialist. When India need to defend a total in the final few overs, or when they need wickets in a tense finish, Shami is the man. His yorkers, his slower balls, and his ability to stay cool under pressure make him the ideal death bowler.
He is not only a white-ball player. In Test cricket, he has over 229 wickets in 64 matches. He has match-winning performances in South Africa, Australia, England, and at home. He has taken five-wicket hauls in multiple countries. He is a true multi-format fast bowling great.
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Mohammed Shami Height and Weight
- Height in feet: 5 feet 11 inches (5 ft 11 in)
- Height in cm: 181 cm
- Height in meters: 1.81 meters
- Weight: Approximately 75–80 kg
- Weight in pounds: Around 165–176 lbs
- Top bowling speed: 153.2 km/h — recorded against Australia at the MCG during the 2014 series. He regularly bowls in the 138–145 km/h range.
His build is strong and compact. He is not the tallest fast bowler, but his wrist position at delivery and his upright seam make up for any lack of height. He generates natural movement off the pitch and through the air — which is more dangerous than pure pace alone.
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Mohammed Shami’s Parents
Father: Tousif Ali (Tausif Ali)
Tousif Ali is a farmer from the small village of Sahaspur Alinagar near Amroha in Uttar Pradesh. He was also a fast bowler in his younger days. He understood cricket and he understood talent.
When Shami was young, it was Tousif Ali who first saw his son’s potential. He watched him bowl in the village. He saw the natural pace, the wrist action, and the competitive fire. He encouraged Shami to take cricket seriously. Then he took him to Moradabad to train with a local cricket coach named Badruddin Siddique.
Shami has said in many interviews that his father was the only person who truly believed in him from the beginning. Even when selectors said no, even when doors were closed, his father kept pushing him forward. That belief from a simple farmer in a small UP village is what put Mohammed Shami on the path to becoming one of India’s greatest fast bowlers.
Mother
Shami’s mother’s name Anjum Ara. The family has always kept her completely private. She is a homemaker who has stayed away from the media spotlight throughout Shami’s career. But she has been an important part of the family’s support for Shami.
Brothers And Sister
He has three brothers and one sister.
1. Haseeb Ahmed (Elder Brother)
- Haseeb Ahmed is the eldest brother of Mohammed Shami. Like the rest of the family, he played cricket during his younger days but did not pursue a professional career. He lives a low-profile life and has mostly stayed away from the spotlight. He supports Shami’s cricket journey along with the rest of the family.
2. Mohammed Asif (Elder Brother)
- Mohammed Asif is Shami’s second brother. He also played cricket at the local level in his youth but did not take it up professionally. He maintains a private life and is not actively involved in competitive cricket. He is known to be very close to the family and has been supportive of Shami throughout his international career.
3. Mohammed Kaif (Younger Brother)
- Mohammed Kaif (born 1996/1997, age ~27–28 in 2026) is Shami’s youngest brother and the only one who has pursued professional cricket seriously. He is a right-arm medium-fast bowler and a handy right-handed lower-order batter. He represents Bengal in domestic cricket.
- Made his List A debut for Bengal in February 2021.
- Made his Ranji Trophy (First-Class) debut in January 2024.
- Has also played the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20) and Vijay Hazare Trophy. He has picked up wickets consistently in domestic red-ball cricket (around 22 wickets in 8+ Ranji matches so far).
Shami is very close to Kaif. During the 2020 COVID lockdown, both brothers trained together in their village. Shami has publicly praised and supported Kaif on social media whenever he achieves milestones (Ranji debut, T20 debut, etc.). In November 2024, they even played a Ranji Trophy match together for Bengal — a special moment for the family.
Note: Mohammed Kaif (Shami’s brother) should not be confused with the former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif (the famous 2002 NatWest hero).
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4 Sister:
Sabina anjum (@sabinaanjum20)
Sabina Anjum (also known as Shabina / Shabina Anjum) Sabina Anjum is Mohammed Shami’s only sister. She is a homemaker and lives a private life. She has occasionally appeared in family-related news (including a 2025 MNREGA job card controversy involving her and relatives, which was widely reported but unrelated to Shami’s cricket career). She remains close to the family and has stayed mostly away from the public limelight.
Personal Life
Mohammed Shami married Hasin Jahan in 2014.
They have one daughter together named Aairah Shami, born in 2015.
In March 2018, things changed completely. Hasin Jahan filed an FIR (police complaint) against Shami and his family, with very serious allegations including domestic violence, adultery, and attempted murder. These allegations shocked the cricket world. Shami denied everything, saying it was a conspiracy designed to destroy his career.
The BCCI initially withheld Shami from their national contracts list as a result of the allegations. However, after an investigation by the BCCI’s anti-corruption unit, Shami’s national contract was restored on March 22, 2018, after he was cleared of the corruption charges.
The personal legal case between Shami and Hasin Jahan has continued for years. A Kolkata court directed Shami to pay his estranged wife ₹1.30 lakh per month in alimony. As of April 2026, the matter is still ongoing in the courts.
The mental impact of all this was enormous. In 2020, Shami spoke bravely and openly about how the personal issues had affected his mental health. He said he had thought about suicide on three occasions during that period. He said his family and close friends saved him by never leaving him alone. His friend Umesh Kumar later spoke about how he once found Shami standing on the balcony of their 24th-floor apartment at 4 AM. It was a frightening moment. But Shami got through it.
The reason this story is in this article is not to embarrass Shami. It is because Shami himself has spoken about it publicly, and because it shows what this man had to fight through — while also playing cricket at the highest level and taking wickets for India in World Cups. That is remarkable human strength.
Mohammed Shami Wife Name: Hasin Jahan
Name: Hasin Jahan (also spelled Haseen Jahan or Hasin Jahan)
Profession: Former model and cheerleader
Marriage: Married Mohammed Shami in April 2014 in a high-profile wedding.
Children: They have one daughter together, Aaira Shami (born July 2015). Hasin Jahan also has two daughters from her previous marriage.
Current Status (2026)
Mohammed Shami and Hasin Jahan have been living separately since 2018. They are estranged (not living together), and their divorce proceedings are still ongoing in court. The divorce has not been finalized yet.
The couple has been involved in a long and public legal battle since 2018, when Hasin Jahan filed complaints against Shami and his family alleging domestic violence, mental harassment, and infidelity.
Latest Updates (as of April 2026)
- The Calcutta High Court ordered Shami to pay ₹4 lakh per month as interim maintenance:
- ₹1.5 lakh per month to Hasin Jahan
- ₹2.5 lakh per month for their daughter Aaira
- Hasin Jahan has approached the Supreme Court seeking an increase in the maintenance amount (she has demanded up to ₹7 lakh for herself and ₹3 lakh for the daughter, citing Shami’s income and lifestyle).
- The Supreme Court has issued notices to Mohammed Shami on multiple occasions regarding maintenance, alimony, and transfer of cases from Kolkata to Delhi.
- The legal cases (domestic violence, maintenance, and divorce) are still pending.
Background
Hasin Jahan is originally from Kolkata. She worked as a model and cheerleader before marriage. After marrying Shami, she largely stayed away from the public eye initially, but their relationship became highly publicized due to the allegations and court cases starting in 2018.
Note: The matter is sub-judice (still under court consideration). Both parties continue to fight legal battles regarding maintenance, child custody/support, and divorce.
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The Name Confusion — Mohammed Shami vs Mohammed Kaif
One common question fans ask: Is Mohammed Shami related to Mohammad Kaif — the famous India batter who played in the 2000s?
No. They are not related.
Mohammed Shami is a fast bowler from UP/Bengal. Mohammad Kaif (the famous batter) is from Allahabad, UP, and played for India between 2002 and 2006. They share a common Muslim name but are from completely different families.
However — and this is interesting — Shami’s actual brother is also named Mohammed Kaif (different spelling can vary). This brother plays cricket for Bengal in List A cricket. So there are three different people in Indian cricket named Mohammed Kaif or Mohammad Kaif — and none of them are related to each other!
The Real Name Story
When Mohammed Shami debuted for India, he was announced as “Shami Ahmed.” But later, he corrected this. In an interview, he said: “I don’t know how my name got that tail. I’m Mohammed Shami, not Shami Ahmed.”
His real name is Mohammed Shami. The “Ahmed” was added somewhere along the way — perhaps in early records or paperwork — and stuck for a while. He has since made clear that his name is simply Mohammed Shami.
Early Life and Journey from Village to Kolkata
Mohammed Shami was born in Sahaspur Alinagar, a small village near Amroha in Uttar Pradesh. His family was not rich. His father was a farmer who had played some local cricket. Life in the village was simple and tough.
Shami was a devoted and passionate learner of cricket from a young age. Teammates from his early days say he used to reach the practice ground one hour before everyone else, set up the nets himself, and practice for hours. Even when other boys went home, he would keep going.
His first serious cricket coaching came from Badruddin Siddique in Moradabad. Siddique was the coach who saw the raw talent and began shaping it. But Shami faced a major setback early — he could not get into the Uttar Pradesh Under-19 team. The reason was not lack of talent. It was politics in selection.
Badruddin Siddique gave him some life-changing advice: “Move to Kolkata. Your year will not be wasted there.” That one piece of advice changed everything.
Shami moved to Kolkata. He had no money, no connections, and no guarantees. He started playing for the Dalhousie Athletic Club in Kolkata’s local cricket scene. That is where Debabrata Das — the former assistant secretary of the Cricket Association of Bengal — noticed him and sent him to the famous Mohun Bagan Club.
At Mohun Bagan, Shami worked extremely hard. He took over 40 wickets in the Kolkata League. And he came under the shadow of one of the greatest names in Indian cricket — Sourav Ganguly. Under the environment that Ganguly’s Mohun Bagan created, Shami polished his skills in the nets every single day.
Soon after, he was given his chance in Bengal’s Ranji Trophy squad. And the rest became history.
Domestic Cricket Career
Bengal Ranji Trophy Journey
Mohammed Shami made his first-class debut for Bengal in October 2010 in the Ranji Trophy against Assam. He took 3 wickets in that match and immediately showed he belonged.
His domestic career with Bengal has been long and consistent. Even when he was playing for India and earning big IPL contracts, he returned to Bengal whenever available to play Ranji Trophy cricket.
His domestic performances were what earned him his India call-up. After an excellent 2012–13 Ranji Trophy season, the BCCI selectors could no longer ignore him. The call for India came soon after.
In 2025–26, as he tried to rebuild his international career after injury, Shami returned to Ranji Trophy cricket for Bengal with a vengeance. He took 8 wickets in a single innings against Jammu & Kashmir (8/90 in the semi-final). He took a five-wicket haul against Services. These performances showed he still had everything — pace, swing, and fire — and that he was not done yet.
The Kolkata Club Cricket Foundation
Before Bengal cricket, the local Kolkata club cricket system was where Shami built his foundation. The Dalhousie Athletic Club and then Mohun Bagan — these clubs gave him the platform. Without that move from UP to Kolkata, and without the coaches and selectors who believed in him, India might never have had Mohammed Shami.
In November 2023, the Uttar Pradesh government announced that a cricket stadium would be built at his ancestral village of Sahaspur Alinagar to honour his achievements. That is the kind of recognition that shows what his journey means — not just for cricket, but for a whole village and community.
How Shami Got the India Call
After his brilliant Ranji Trophy season in 2012–13, Shami was picked for India’s ODI team. His ODI debut came on January 6, 2013 against Pakistan in Chennai.
On his very first day in international cricket, he bowled four maiden overs. Four overs. No runs. Against Pakistan. In an India-Pakistan match. This was not a man who was nervous on debut. This was a bowler who knew exactly what he was doing.
That debut performance announced to the whole cricket world that Mohammed Shami had arrived.
Mohammed Shami IPL Career
IPL Debut: 2013 for Kolkata Knight Riders.
IPL Teams:
KKR (2011–2013)
Delhi Daredevils/Capitals (2014–2018)
Punjab Kings (2019–2021)
Gujarat Titans (2022–2024)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (2025)
Lucknow Super Giants (2026).
Total IPL Matches (as of April 2026): 121+ matches Total IPL Wickets: 136+ wickets Best Bowling in IPL: 4/11 Economy Rate: Around 8.56
IPL Journey Year by Year
2011–2012 (Kolkata Knight Riders — ₹10 lakh): KKR signed Shami very early for just ₹10 lakh. He warmed the bench for two seasons without playing. Those two years were his learning and preparation period.
2013 (Kolkata Knight Riders — first IPL games): He finally got to play his first IPL matches for KKR. He showed promise and caught the attention of other franchises with his pace and swing.
2014–2018 (Delhi Daredevils/Capitals): Delhi bought him for ₹4.25 crore in the 2014 auction. He spent five seasons in Delhi. These were inconsistent years — he played when fit but missed time due to injuries. He was released, then bought back by Delhi in 2018 for ₹3 crore.
2019–2021 (Punjab Kings — ₹4.8 crore): Shami moved to Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) for ₹4.8 crore in 2019. These three seasons were much better. He was Punjab’s main fast bowler and a consistent wicket-taker. By the end of his Punjab stint, fans had seen what a match-winner he was in T20 cricket.
2022–2024 (Gujarat Titans — ₹6.25 crore): This is when his IPL career truly peaked. Gujarat Titans bought him for ₹6.25 crore at the 2022 mega auction. It was one of the best decisions any franchise made. In 2022, GT won the IPL title in their very first season, and Shami was a key part of that — he took 20 wickets in the season. In 2023, he was even better — 28 wickets in 17 matches, which won him the Purple Cap (the award for the highest wicket-taker in the entire IPL season). GT reached the final in both 2022 (won) and 2023 (runners-up). Shami was at the heart of both campaigns.
In 2024, GT had retained him, but he could not play. He had suffered a serious ankle injury after the 2023 ODI World Cup and needed surgery. He missed the entire IPL 2024 season. GT released him ahead of the 2025 auction.
2025 (Sunrisers Hyderabad — ₹10 crore): The 2025 mega auction saw multiple franchises fight for Shami’s services. KKR, CSK, and LSG were all bidding. SRH won the bidding war, signing him for a massive ₹10 crore. That was a big show of faith in a player coming back from a long injury absence.
But 2025 was a disappointing IPL season for him. He played 9 matches and took only 6 wickets at a high economy rate of 11.23. He was clearly still finding his rhythm after a long time away from cricket.
2026 (Lucknow Super Giants — ₹10 crore): Before the 2026 season, Shami was traded from SRH to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in an all-cash trade. His salary remained ₹10 crore. At LSG, he is expected to be the main fast bowling threat, and with his full fitness returning, he is determined to remind the cricket world what Mohammed Shami can do.
Biggest IPL Achievements
His Purple Cap in IPL 2023 (28 wickets in 17 matches) is his greatest IPL achievement. He was the most dominant bowler in the entire tournament that year.
Being part of Gujarat Titans’ IPL 2022 title win is also a special memory — his first ever IPL championship medal.
Total IPL Earnings (approximately): ₹10 lakh (2011–12) + ₹4.25 crore (2014) + salary through Delhi years + ₹4.8 crore (2019–2021) + ₹6.25 crore (2022–2024) + ₹10 crore (2025) + ₹10 crore (2026) = Approximately ₹70–80+ crore in total IPL career earnings.
Mohammed Shami Stats – IPL
- IPL Debut: 2013 (with Kolkata Knight Riders)
- Current Team (IPL 2026): Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
- Total IPL Matches Played: 122
IPL Career Batting Statistics
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | 100s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 122 | 31 | 85 | 21* | 5.67 | 93.41 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 |
IPL Career Bowling Statistics
| Matches | Overs | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy | Strike Rate | 3W | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 122 | 442.2 | 3,786 | 136 | 4/11 | 27.84 | 8.56 | 19.51 | 11 | 2 | 0 |
Key IPL Highlights
- Best Bowling Figures: 4/11 (vs Delhi Capitals in 2023)
- Purple Cap Winner: 2023 (28 wickets for Gujarat Titans)
- Most First-Ball Wickets in IPL History: 5 (unique record as of April 2026)
- Played a key role in Gujarat Titans’ title-winning campaign in 2022 (20 wickets)
Season-wise Bowling Performance (Summary)
| Season | Team | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Lucknow Super Giants | 2 | 3 | 2/9 | 12.33 | 4.62 |
| 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 9 | 6 | 2/28 | 56.17 | 11.23 |
| 2023 | Gujarat Titans | 17 | 28 | 4/11 | 18.64 | 8.03 |
| 2022 | Gujarat Titans | 16 | 20 | – | 24.40 | 8.00 |
| 2021 | Punjab Kings | 14 | 19 | – | 20.79 | 7.50 |
| 2020 | Punjab Kings | 14 | 20 | – | 23.00 | 8.57 |
| 2019 | Delhi Capitals | 14 | 19 | – | 24.68 | 8.69 |
| Earlier seasons (2013–2018) | KKR, DD, etc. | – | – | – | – | – |
Note: Mohammed Shami missed the entire IPL 2024 season due to ankle surgery. He made a comeback in 2025 with SRH and was traded to Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2026.
Quick Facts
- Shami is known for his swing, seam movement, and ability to take early wickets (especially with the new ball).
- He has taken multiple first-ball wickets in the IPL, setting a unique record.
Mohammed Shami India Career
Current India Role: Right-arm fast bowler in Tests and ODIs. He is a powerplay, middle-over, and death-over specialist. BCCI Grade A contract holder — one of India’s most trusted senior fast bowlers.
All Three Format Debuts
ODI Debut: January 6, 2013 vs Pakistan, Chennai — four maiden overs on debut.
Test Debut: November 6, 2013 vs West Indies, Eden Gardens, Kolkata — 9 wickets in the match. 9 wickets! The most by any Indian fast bowler on Test debut. He took five wickets in the second innings. He became the hero of his home crowd in Kolkata.
T20I Debut: March 21, 2014 vs Pakistan in Dhaka (ICC T20 World Cup 2014) — took the wicket of Umar Akmal.
The 2023 ODI World Cup — The Greatest Tournament of His Life
The 2023 ODI World Cup was held in India. Shami was not in India’s starting eleven for the first four matches of the tournament. He waited on the bench, watching other bowlers play. Then, injuries and team changes brought him into the playing eleven.
What happened next is one of the greatest individual performances in ODI World Cup history.
Shami played 7 matches in the tournament. He took 24 wickets. In just 7 matches! His average was 10.70. His economy was 5.26. He took two five-wicket hauls. He took four-wicket hauls in multiple matches. And then, in the semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai, he produced one of the greatest ODI bowling spells ever seen: 7 wickets for 57 runs.
7/57 against New Zealand. That is the best bowling figures ever by an Indian bowler in an ODI match. It is also the best figures in any ODI World Cup knockout match in history. New Zealand were chasing 398 runs. Shami destroyed their batting lineup. India won by 70 runs and reached the World Cup final.
He finished the World Cup as the highest wicket-taker. He was the fastest ever bowler to take 50 World Cup wickets (in just 17 innings). He set the most World Cup five-wicket hauls ever (4). He broke or equalled multiple world records in a single tournament.
India lost the final to Australia. It was heartbreaking. But Shami’s World Cup will always be remembered as one of the greatest individual bowling tournaments of all time.
The 2019 World Cup Hat-trick
In the 2019 ODI World Cup against Afghanistan, Shami took a hat-trick — three wickets in three consecutive balls. He became only the second Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in a World Cup, after Chetan Sharma in 1987. That hat-trick is still one of the most celebrated moments in India’s World Cup history.
The Ankle Injury and Long Comeback
After the 2023 World Cup, Shami suffered a serious Achilles/ankle injury. He needed surgery and a long recovery period. He missed all cricket for over a year. He missed the entire IPL 2024. He missed India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour of Australia in 2024–25.
His comeback began in 2025. He returned for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where he bowled brilliantly again — 5/53 against Bangladesh in the first match, making him the fastest bowler ever to reach 200 ODI wickets. India won the 2025 Champions Trophy, and Shami was part of that title-winning squad.
However, he was not selected for India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad due to his inconsistent form and continuing fitness concerns. His last T20I was February 2025 against England. His primary goal now, as he has publicly stated, is the 2027 ODI World Cup. He wants to win the one major title India missed — the 50-over World Cup — before he retires.
India Career Stats (as of April 2026)
Bowling Stats
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 64 | 229 | 6/56 | 27.71 | 3.31 |
| ODI | 108 | 206 | 7/57 | 24.05 | 5.58 |
| T20I | 25 | 27 | 3/15 | 28.19 | 8.95 |
Batting Stats (he bats in the lower order)
| Format | Highest Score | Notable |
|---|---|---|
| Test | 51* | His maiden Test half-century — scored vs England in 2014 |
| ODI | 25* | Useful lower-order contributions |
| T20I | 13 | Rare batting contribution |
Total International Wickets: 462+ wickets across all three formats (as of April 2026). This puts him among the greatest Indian bowlers of all time.
Major Records and Achievements
Here is a full list of Mohammed Shami’s most important records and achievements. Read each one carefully — they are remarkable.
Best ODI bowling figures by an Indian: 7/57 vs New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup semi-final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The best ODI figures ever by any Indian bowler.
Most wickets in a single ODI World Cup edition for India: 24 wickets in the 2023 World Cup. Previous Indian record was 21 by Zaheer Khan in 2011.
Fastest bowler to 50 ODI World Cup wickets: He got there in just 17 innings — the fastest ever by any bowler in World Cup history.
Most five-wicket hauls in ODI World Cups: 4 five-wicket hauls — more than any bowler in World Cup history. Even more than Mitchell Starc (3).
Fastest Indian to 100 ODI wickets: He reached 100 ODI wickets in just 56 matches — the fastest ever Indian to the milestone.
Fastest bowler to 200 ODI wickets: He became the fastest ever bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets during the 2025 Champions Trophy against Bangladesh.
World Cup hat-trick: Only the second Indian to take a hat-trick in an ODI World Cup — against Afghanistan in 2019.
9 wickets on Test debut: Most wickets by any Indian fast bowler on Test debut.
5 wicket-haul on Test debut: He took five wickets in the second innings of his very first Test match.
IPL Purple Cap 2023: 28 wickets in 17 matches for Gujarat Titans — the highest wicket-taker in IPL 2023.
IPL 2022 champion: Part of Gujarat Titans’ title-winning team in the franchise’s very first IPL season.
Arjuna Award 2023: India’s government awarded him the Arjuna Award — one of India’s highest sports honours — for his outstanding cricket achievements.
India’s top wicket-taker in ICC tournaments: He surpassed Zaheer Khan to become India’s highest wicket-taker in ICC tournament history.
Key Performances for India
1) ODI Debut — January 6, 2013 vs Pakistan, Chennai
Four maiden overs on debut. Against Pakistan. In an India-Pakistan match. Nobody who was watching that match ever forgot it.
2) Test Debut — November 6, 2013 vs West Indies, Eden Gardens
9 wickets in the match. Five wickets in the second innings. Playing in front of his home crowd in Kolkata, the boy from a UP village became a hero that day.
3) World Cup Hat-trick — June 22, 2019 vs Afghanistan, Southampton
Three wickets in three balls. He became only the second Indian ever to take a World Cup hat-trick. The crowd in Southampton went absolutely wild.
4) 7/57 vs New Zealand — November 15, 2023, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (World Cup semi-final)
This is the greatest bowling performance of his career. New Zealand were chasing 398. Shami took 7 wickets. India won by 70 runs and went to the final. The Wankhede crowd, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, the whole stadium — everyone was standing and cheering for Shami. It was an extraordinary night.
5) 5/53 vs Bangladesh — February 20, 2025, Champions Trophy
His return after a long injury absence. Playing through pain, fighting for his place, he took 5 wickets on his comeback match in the Champions Trophy. And in doing so, he became the fastest bowler ever to reach 200 ODI wickets. What a way to come back.
6) 5/28 vs South Africa — January 2018, Johannesburg
India were playing a consolation Test in South Africa. He took 5/28 and skittled the South African batting in their chase of 241. Pure, brilliant fast bowling in helpful conditions.
7) 8/90 vs Jammu & Kashmir — 2025–26 Ranji Trophy semi-final
As he fought to come back to India’s team, he returned to domestic cricket and produced a stunning 8/90 in a single innings. It sent a clear message to selectors: Mohammed Shami is still very much here.
Mohammed Shami Bowling Style
Main Style: Right-arm fast-medium. He is famous for his upright seam presentation — he holds the seam perfectly straight, which allows the ball to swing and seam consistently. He is both a new-ball and old-ball expert.
Key Features of His Bowling
Seam Position: The most important thing about Shami’s bowling. He holds the seam upright — perfectly vertical when it leaves his hand. This makes the ball move through the air (swing) and off the pitch (seam). Very few bowlers in the world maintain this seam position so consistently at high speeds.
Both-Way Swing: He can swing the ball into right-handers (inswing) and away from them (outswing). Having both types of swing in your armoury means batters can never be sure which way the ball will go.
Reverse Swing: With an old, rough ball, Shami is one of the best reverse swing bowlers in the world. When most bowlers are trying just to bowl straight with the old ball, Shami is making it swing again — in the opposite direction. This is an art he has practiced since childhood by shining old red balls from junior tournaments on one side.
Pace: He regularly bowls 138–145 km/h. His top recorded speed is 153.2 km/h.
Death Over Yorkers: In the final overs of limited-overs cricket, his yorkers (full-length balls aimed at the batsman’s feet) are devastating. He hits the base of the stumps with remarkable regularity.
Strengths
He is equally dangerous with the new ball and the old ball. He takes wickets in the powerplay and in the death overs. He is effective in all conditions — in India, Australia, South Africa, England. He is one of very few Indian bowlers to be considered genuinely world-class in all conditions.
His biggest strength might be his ability to perform under pressure. The bigger the match, the better he bowls. His World Cup record proves this.
Weaknesses
He has had recurring injuries throughout his career — knee, ankle, and other physical problems. These have interrupted his career multiple times. Managing his body and staying fit is his biggest ongoing challenge.
In T20Is, his economy rate (around 9 runs per over) is higher than his Test and ODI rates. He is not at his best in the fastest format of the game.
The Trolling Incident — 2021 T20 World Cup
In October 2021, India played Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. Shami was India’s most expensive bowler in that match and gave 43 runs. India lost.
What happened next was shameful. Shami — the only Muslim player in India’s team at the time — received enormous amounts of Islamophobic abuse on social media. People were attacking him not because of his bowling but because of his religion. It was one of the worst episodes of online hatred in Indian cricket.
But Indian cricket stood firmly with Shami. Virat Kohli spoke up strongly and directly addressed the Islamophobic nature of the abuse. Many other current and former cricketers also publicly defended Shami. The entire cricket community rallied around him.
Shami said afterwards that the support he received from teammates and the cricket community helped him get through that very difficult time.
The Good Samaritan — Nainital 2023
In November 2023, Mohammed Shami was travelling by car from Nainital to Amroha in Uttarakhand. The car in front of him suddenly lost control and fell into a ditch on the hilly road.
Shami stopped his car immediately. He got out. He helped the person trapped in the accident — Anubhav Soni, the son of a UP police official. He made sure the person was safe and got help.
He later shared a video on his Instagram of the incident and the grateful response of the person’s mother. Millions of fans praised him. He was widely called a “Good Samaritan” — a person who helps strangers in need.
This moment, outside of cricket, shows the kind of human being Mohammed Shami is.
Mohammed Shami Net Worth
Estimated Net Worth: ₹50–70 crore (approximately USD 7–9 million) as of April 2026.
He is one of the wealthiest cricketers in India, with multiple income sources built over 13 years of international cricket.
Main Sources of Income
IPL Salary: ₹10 crore per season (Lucknow Super Giants, 2026). Over his IPL career, he has earned approximately ₹70–80 crore from IPL alone.
BCCI Central Contract: Grade A — ₹5 crore per year. One of India’s highest BCCI contracts.
India Match Fees: Test, ODI, and T20I match fees for every game he plays.
Brand Endorsements: Shami is a brand ambassador for Puma (sportswear), Hell Energy Drink, and Vision 11 (fantasy app). After his outstanding 2023 World Cup, his endorsement fee reportedly doubled to ₹1 crore per campaign. He is also linked with other brands.
Properties: He owns a lavish farmhouse in Amroh (Amroha), UP, spread across 150+ bighas, valued at ₹12–15 crore. He also has a bungalow in Alinagar village. He lives in Kolkata when playing domestic cricket.
Cars: Shami loves cars. His collection includes an Audi, a BMW 5 Series, a Jaguar F-Type sports car, and a Toyota Fortuner. He also has several motorcycles.
Career Earnings Growth
In his early IPL years (2011–2013), he was on ₹10 lakh. By 2022–24 with GT, he was on ₹6.25 crore per season. By 2025, he was on ₹10 crore per season. The growth curve shows how much Indian cricket values him.
His net worth is expected to grow further if he can stay fit and perform in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Latest News About Mohammed Shami
The biggest recent news is that Shami was not selected for India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. His inconsistent form in IPL 2025 (6 wickets in 9 matches at a high economy) and his ongoing fitness questions meant India went without him in the T20 format. He has accepted this publicly and said his eyes are now on the 2027 ODI World Cup.
He has been traded from Sunrisers Hyderabad to Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2026, where he is determined to show his best form again.
In domestic cricket, he has been bowling very well for Bengal in 2025–26, taking 8-wicket hauls and five-wicket hauls in Ranji Trophy — showing selectors he still has plenty left.
BCCI’s 2026–27 contract list saw Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli moved to Grade B. Shami’s contract situation is being watched closely by fans and selectors alike.
His stated dream — winning the 2027 ODI World Cup for India — gives him a clear goal to work towards. If India are to win that World Cup, they will almost certainly need Mohammed Shami at his best.
Mohammed Shami Retirement – Latest Update (April 2026)
Mohammed Shami has NOT retired from cricket.
Shami’s Clear Statement on Retirement (March 31, 2026)
In a recent interview on The Shubhankar Mishra Show, Mohammed Shami directly addressed retirement rumours:
“When I get tired, I will call it a day. But I am not even thinking of retirement right now because such thoughts pull you down. I’ll leave cricket the day I wake up and decide to get bored. So yeah, the day I feel lazy or get bored, I’ll leave.”
He also said he still has the hunger and is focused on performing well in IPL 2026 to push for a comeback in the Indian team.
Why Retirement Rumours Started
- Shami has not played for India since the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (over a year ago).
- Despite taking 67 wickets for Bengal in the 2025-26 domestic season and regaining full fitness, he has been overlooked by the selectors (led by Ajit Agarkar).
- He missed the entire IPL 2024 due to ankle surgery and had a modest IPL 2025 with SRH.
However, Shami remains motivated and is using IPL 2026 with LSG as a platform to prove his fitness and form, with an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup.
FAQs
Who is Mohammed Shami?
Mohammed Shami is an Indian right-arm fast bowler who plays for India, Bengal, and Lucknow Super Giants. He is one of the greatest fast bowlers India has produced.
What is Mohammed Shami’s age?
He is 35 years old as of April 2026. Born on September 3, 1990.
Where is Mohammed Shami from?
He is from Sahaspur Alinagar village near Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, India.
What is Mohammed Shami’s religion?
He is Muslim.
What is Mohammed Shami’s best ODI bowling figure?
7/57 vs New Zealand in the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final — the best ever by an Indian bowler in ODIs.
How many wickets did Shami take in the 2023 World Cup?
He took 24 wickets in just 7 matches — the most by any Indian in a single World Cup edition, and the fastest bowler ever to reach 50 World Cup wickets.
Did Shami take a World Cup hat-trick?
Yes. Against Afghanistan in the 2019 ODI World Cup in Southampton. He was only the second Indian to take a World Cup hat-trick after Chetan Sharma in 1987.
Is Mohammed Shami married?
He married Hasin Jahan in 2014. They separated in 2018. The legal case is ongoing. They have one daughter named Aairah.
What IPL team does Mohammed Shami play for?
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2026.
What is Mohammed Shami’s net worth?
Approximately ₹50–70 crore as of April 2026.
What award did Mohammed Shami receive in 2023?
The Arjuna Award — one of India’s highest sports honours — given for his outstanding contributions to Indian cricket.
What is Mohammed Shami’s top bowling speed?
153.2 km/h, recorded against Australia at the MCG in 2014.
Conclusion
Mohammed Shami’s story is one of the most extraordinary in Indian cricket. A boy from a small UP village. A father who was a farmer and a fast bowler. A move to Kolkata with no money and no guarantees. A debut where he bowled four maiden overs against Pakistan. A Test debut where he took 9 wickets. A marriage that fell apart in the most painful and public way possible. Mental health struggles that brought him to the edge. Islamophobic abuse after a World Cup match. An ankle surgery that took more than a year to recover from. And through all of it — wickets, records, and performances that will be remembered forever in Indian cricket history.
7/57 in a World Cup semi-final. A hat-trick in a World Cup. 24 wickets in 7 matches. The fastest to 50 World Cup wickets. The fastest to 200 ODI wickets.
Mohammed Shami is not just a great bowler. He is a great fighter. His story teaches us that talent alone is not enough — you need to be willing to fight through everything life throws at you. He has done that, again and again.
And if you ask him what his next goal is, he will tell you without hesitation: the 2027 ODI World Cup. Because Mohammed Shami is not done yet.
Rahul Desai is a cricket rules researcher who closely studies official rulebooks, match conditions, and tournament regulations. His articles explain tricky scenarios like no-ball decisions, super overs, and DLS calculations in a straightforward way. Rahul’s content is ideal for fans who want rule clarity.