NEW DELHI: After suffering an ankle injury, veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has admitted that there were times when he thought his international career was finished, but he persisted because he was determined to play for his country once more.
Surgery was necessary for Shami’s ankle injury sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup final versus Australia in November.
He missed 14 months of international cricket due to swelling in his left knee, which made his recuperation much more difficult.
“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 ICC.
“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,” he added.
But earlier this month, the 34-year-old made a triumphant return to the international scene by participating in two Twenty20 Internationals and an equal number of One-Day Internationals against England.
Shami will spearhead India’s pace attack in the Champions Trophy due to Jasprit Bumrah‘s injury.
“My first question to the doctor was ‘how many days until I can be back on the field’. 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.”
For Shami, the mental shift from being an active athlete to using crutches was difficult.
“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 in crutches.”
Due to the emergence of self-doubt, the first two months were particularly challenging.
“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?
Shami claimed that after three months, he felt as though he was learning to walk again, but when he was asked to place his feet on the ground, he overcame with panic.
“After 60 days when they asked me to put my feet on the ground, you won’t believe me, but I have ever (never) been more scared to put my foot on the ground,” Shami said.
“It felt like I was starting over, like a toddler learning how to walk and I was worried about any complications.
During the most difficult part of his recuperation, Shami remained inspired by his unshakeable ambition to wear the India jersey once more.
“Courage and passion to play for the country are the biggest motivators, and the desire to wear the India badge on my chest kept me 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. It was tough and there was pain, but with resilience and patience I made it through.
“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,” Shami said.
