Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami Ahmed was born on September 3, 1990, in Sahaspur, Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, India. His journey in cricket began at age 15 when his father, a former fast bowler, took him to a cricket coach in Moradabad. Despite not being selected for the Uttar Pradesh under-19 side, Shami moved to Kolkata in 2005 to pursue cricketing opportunities. He diligently worked on his technique, particularly mastering reverse swing with older balls. After playing for Dalhousie Athletic Club, he joined Town Club, where his bowling skills impressed selectors, leading to his selection for the Bengal under-22 team.

His domestic career for Bengal commenced with a Twenty20 debut in October 2010, followed by his first-class debut against Assam in November of the same year. A significant turning point came in February 2012 when his bowling helped the East Zone win their first Duleep Trophy, where he took eight wickets in the match. The 2012–13 Ranji Trophy further showcased his talent, including an 11-wicket haul against Madhya Pradesh in November, featuring a hat-trick, and a 10-wicket match against Hyderabad. These consistent performances paved the way for his international call-up.

Shami made his One Day International (ODI) debut for India against Pakistan in January 2013, followed by his Test debut against the West Indies in November 2013 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. In his debut Test, he achieved a match total of nine wickets, setting a record for an Indian pacer. Throughout his career, he has been known for his ability to move the ball with speed and swing, making him a formidable bowler in all formats of the game. He has been a consistent wicket-taker for India in both Test and limited-overs cricket, including key roles in ICC tournaments. He was a member of the Indian team that won the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and was the leading wicket-taker in the ICC World Cup 2023.