Mohammed Shami said that his ‘love for cricket helped him battle the off-field problems’ that pegged him back a few months ago.
India's Ravi Ashwin (2R) congratulates bowler Mohammed Shami (R) (Photo: AFP)
Indian speedster Mohammed Shami on Wednesday said that his ‘love for cricket helped him battle the off-field problems’ that pegged him back a few months ago.
Shami made an impressive comeback in the ongoing first Test of five-match series against England. On the first day of the opening Test, Shami bagged 2 wickets for 64 runs.
It was a fine return for the 28-year-old Shami, who was accused of domestic violence and extra-marital affair by his wife some months back. He also sustained injuries after being involved in an accident and later missed the one-off Afghanistan Test for failing the yo-yo fitness test.
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“(The tour of) South Africa was a long time ago and there have been some off-field issues after that. I had to fight a lot in between but my effort was that I have to keep doing what I love most and what is most important to me (cricket),” Shami said.
“I wanted to just keep doing my job and then see what happens to the rest of the stuff in my life. Whatever difficulties I face, first I wanted to play cricket and keep doing it. The result is in front of us.”
Shami, who was India’s highest wicket-taker with 15 scalps in the 2-1 loss to South Africa, said he was satisfied with his and team’s efforts on the field on the opening day.
“As a bowling unit and as an individual I am very happy today. This is the thing I have worked hard for and we have been able to bring it forward successfully,” he said.
“There are ups and downs in life and in your family. But when playing for your country there is a responsibility and when you do that job properly, I think that’s the best thing. So I am very happy with today.”
-With PTI inputs.
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