Virat Kohli, the former Indian cricket team captain, is renowned for his jovial nature and penchant for pranks. It was Kohli who bestowed the nickname “lala” upon fast bowler Mohammed Shami. Shami, who recently turned 34, is currently undergoing rehabilitation following ankle surgery and is nearing a return to international cricket.
On Shami’s birthday, Star Sports released a video clip featuring the Uttar Pradesh-born pacer answering questions in a rapid-fire round. When asked about the origin of his nickname, Shami revealed, “Virat started it because almost everybody in the team had a nickname, only I was left.”
Shami’s jersey number, 11, holds special significance for him. “There are a lot of things that when calculated are 11 in my life,” he explained.
Regarding his favorite fast bowlers, Shami named Waqar Younis and Dale Steyn. “There are a lot of them,” he said, “but if you are asking for names, then I like Waqar Younis and Dale Steyn more.”
When asked about batsmen he enjoys bowling to, Shami singled out Joe Root. “If you talk about now, then for me it is Joe Root because he plays all around the wicket,” he said.
Shami’s most memorable career moment came when he joined the ODI team. “There was a tradition then to stand on a chair or a stool and give a speech,” he recalled. “When I stood up and started seeing the faces, then I was left speechless. When I stepped into a meeting that had the top batsmen and the top bowlers, I just couldn’t comprehend (what to say). But even today I haven’t forgotten that meeting.”
