Ricky Ponting has heaped praise on Mohammed Shami, calling his five-wicket haul in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 opener a remarkable feat. The former Australian captain believes Shami is currently at his best, showcasing his ability to deliver in high-pressure matches. Making a grand return to ICC tournaments, Shami dismantled Bangladesh’s batting lineup with a brilliant 5/53, playing a pivotal role in restricting them to 228 on Thursday.
During the process, he became the fastest Indian and the second-fastest overall to reach 200 ODI wickets, reinforcing his status as one of India’s finest seamers. His efforts set the foundation for India’s six-wicket win. Mohammed Shami’s last ICC appearance was in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he emerged as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker despite battling an ankle injury. His injury kept him away from international cricket for over a year, but his return to form has been nothing short of extraordinary.
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“For him to come back and get five wickets in the first game of the Champions Trophy is fantastic,” Ricky Ponting said while speaking to the ICC. “These are the kind of players you want in your team—guys who will do anything for you. As a captain, you need players who can step up when asked, and Shami has always been that kind of bowler.”
Ricky Ponting also reflected on Shami’s journey, acknowledging that while his international career has been stellar, it had its fair share of struggles early on.
“It hasn’t been easy for him. His career started a bit stop-start, but he has improved year after year. Right now, he’s probably the best version of himself, having overcome setbacks,” Ricky Ponting added.
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With 55 wickets across three ODI World Cups (2015, 2019, 2023), Shami has now joined an elite list of Indian bowlers with 200 ODI wickets. Up next, India faces Pakistan on February 23, a match Shami notably missed in the 2023 World Cup. His last ODI against Pakistan dates back to the 2015 World Cup, making this highly anticipated clash a potential stage for another stellar performance.
