Mohammed Shami

Role: Bowler

Batting Style: Right Handed Bat

Bowling Style: Right-arm fast

Country: India

Player profile for Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami – Full Profile

Mohammed Shami is one of India’s leading fast bowlers, known for his pace, accuracy, and ability to swing the ball both ways. His performances across all formats of the game have made him a key player for India, particularly in overseas conditions where his seam and swing bowling have been highly effective. Shami has been a crucial part of India’s pace attack, alongside players like Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma.

Personal Information

Full Name: Mohammed Shami Ahmed
Date of Birth: 3rd September 1990
Place of Birth: Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, India
Nationality: Indian
Batting Style: Right-handed
Bowling Style: Right-arm fast
Role: Bowler

Early Life and Domestic Career

Mohammed Shami was born in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, and his early life was marked by significant challenges, including financial struggles. Despite these, his talent was evident from a young age, and he started playing cricket in his hometown. His breakthrough came through performances in domestic cricket, particularly in the Ranji Trophy, where his consistent pace and swing caught the eye of selectors.

Domestic Team: Shami plays for Bengal in domestic cricket and represents Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
His career took off in domestic competitions, particularly with his performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Ranji Trophy.

Shami made a name for himself in Indian domestic cricket, with strong performances for Bengal and his ability to bowl consistently in challenging conditions. His performances in domestic cricket earned him a place in the India A team, and soon he was being watched by the national selectors.

International Career

Mohammed Shami made his debut for the Indian national team in 2013, and since then, he has become one of India’s most reliable fast bowlers in all formats.

ODI Debut:

Date: 6th January 2013
Against: Pakistan
Venue: Delhi
Shami made an immediate impact in his ODI debut, where his fast and aggressive bowling helped India win the match. His ability to swing the ball and generate pace was noted from the start.

Test Debut:

Date: 6th November 2013
Against: West Indies
Venue: Kolkata
Shami’s Test debut was in 2013, and he quickly established himself as an important part of India’s pace attack, particularly in home conditions where his swing bowling was highly effective.

T20I Debut:

Date: 21st December 2014
Against: Pakistan
Venue: Dhaka
Though Shami has been more prominent in ODIs and Tests, he has also played a number of T20Is for India.

Major Achievements:

Shami was a key figure in India’s 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup squad, where he took a hat-trick against Afghanistan, one of the standout moments of the tournament.
He was a part of the Indian team that won the 2018-2019 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where his contributions with the ball were crucial in India’s historic win.
His ability to bowl well under pressure has made him a reliable option for India, especially in overseas conditions where the ball tends to swing more.

Playing Style

Bowling: Mohammed Shami is a fast bowler who generates significant pace and swing. He is known for his seam position and ability to move the ball both ways, making him effective in both limited-overs and Test cricket. Shami is particularly noted for his ability to bowl in the death overs and pick wickets in the middle overs with his precise line and length.
He also has a strong action, with a high-arm action that helps him extract bounce from the surface. Shami’s ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 140 km/h makes him a vital asset in India’s fast-bowling lineup.
Batting: Although primarily a bowler, Shami is a useful lower-order batsman who can contribute runs when needed. His batting, however, is not his primary role in the team.

Notable Performances

2019 ICC Cricket World Cup: Shami took a hat-trick against Afghanistan, which was one of the key moments of the tournament.
Test Series in Australia (2018-19): Shami played a pivotal role in India’s historic series win in Australia, taking key wickets in both Melbourne and Sydney.
India vs. West Indies (2013): In his debut Test match, Shami impressed everyone with his pace and ability to bowl long spells in Test cricket, setting the stage for his future career.

Career Highlights

Shami was India’s leading bowler in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.
He became the first Indian fast bowler to take a hat-trick in the ICC World Cup (against Afghanistan in 2019).
His consistency in both limited-overs and Test cricket has seen him take numerous match-winning wickets for India.

Statistics (As of 2025)

ODI Career:

Matches Played: 91
Innings: 88
Wickets Taken: 180
Average: 25.85
Economy Rate: 5.53
Best Bowling: 5/69

Test Career:

Matches Played: 61
Innings: 113
Wickets Taken: 211
Average: 27.04
Economy Rate: 3.42
Best Bowling: 6/56

T20I Career:

Matches Played: 17
Innings: 17
Wickets Taken: 22
Average: 25.90
Economy Rate: 8.13
Best Bowling: 3/15

IPL Career:

Matches Played: 70+
Wickets Taken: 85+
Economy Rate: 8.5
Best Bowling: 4/30

Personal Life

Mohammed Shami has had a journey filled with ups and downs, both on and off the field. He hails from a small village in Uttar Pradesh and has overcome significant obstacles to rise to international cricket. Shami has been very vocal about his struggles and his commitment to the game. Off the field, he enjoys spending time with his family and has a keen interest in fitness and outdoor activities.

Conclusion

Mohammed Shami is one of India’s premier fast bowlers, known for his pace, swing, and match-winning abilities. His performances in Test cricket, ODIs, and the IPL have cemented his reputation as one of the best fast bowlers in contemporary cricket. Whether in India or abroad, Shami has proven to be a key component of India’s bowling attack and continues to play a significant role in Indian cricket’s success across formats.