Senior Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to return to the national side. The veteran fast bowler last featured for India during the Champions Trophy 2025 but was subsequently overlooked for the five-match Test tour of England and the upcoming Asia Cup. Earlier reports had suggested his potential inclusion in India’s Australia tour squad, but Shami ultimately missed out.
Off the field, Shami has faced intense scrutiny and criticism. His average performance in a high-pressure match against Pakistan sparked a wave of online criticism. For the first time, the 33-year-old fast bowler has spoken candidly about the online abuse he has endured.
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This is not the first instance of Shami being targeted. Following India’s loss to Pakistan in the 2021 T20 World Cup, he was branded a “traitor” and “anti-national” by sections of social media. In a recent interview, Shami was asked whether Muslim cricketers face disproportionate criticism during India-Pakistan encounters.
‘True fans will never do this’@MdShami11 slams trolls targeting Muslim cricketers, says ‘I am not a machine’
— TOI Sports (@toisports) August 28, 2025
Responding firmly, he said, “I do not pay heed to such trolling. I have been given a job. I am not a machine. If I work hard throughout the year, sometimes I will fail, sometimes succeed. When you play for your country, it becomes more important to take wickets and win matches. I do not go on social media at such times. You see both positive and negative comments. While playing, you should stay away from such things.”
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Shami further added, “We work hard to get success. Trolls just have to type two lines. True fans will never do this. If you have an objection, raise it respectfully. If you think you can do better than me, please come and try. It is always open.”
Shami’s candid remarks highlight the emotional toll online abuse can take on athletes. Yet, despite the criticism, he remains focused on his comeback, determined to regain his spot in India’s national team and prove his class on the international stage.
