India veteran pacer Mohammed Shami recently remembered how the then captain Hardik Pandya screamed angrily at him during one of Gujarat Titans’ (GT) matches in the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well. Shami also added that cricketers should avoid such outbursts on the field. However, the right-arm fast bowler also stated that he shares a cordial relationship with Hardik and the two have known each other for almost a decade now.

Speaking about the incident, Shami said while speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel: “I usually don’t respond to such things, but when things get too bad, then I do speak up. We have a good connection and are friends. He didn’t realize it at that moment. We’ve known each other for almost 10 years. He told me, ‘I swear, I don’t know what I’ve said.’ Crores of people watch us on screen, we need to control our emotions.”

Notably, under the leadership of Hardik, GT finished as champions in 2022, which was also their maiden season in the cash-rich league as well. With 20 wickets from 16 outings, Shami was the leading wicket-taker for the Gujarat-based team in the edition as well. During the interview, Mohammed Shami was asked to name an IPL team he would want to represent if Gujarat doesn’t retain him ahead of the next season. The veteran stated that he would happily join any team that picks him as well.

“Delhi didn’t give me a chance, then I took 60 wickets for Punjab in three years, they did not retain me and gave me to Gujarat. I have taken 48 wickets for Gujarat in two years, and if they don’t retain me, what difference does it make? I will play with whichever team that picks me. If you want a performer, then keep me, if you want looks, find two or three models and bring them,” Mohammed Shami concluded.