The Inspiring Story of Mohammed Shami’s Return to Cricket

Mohammed Shami, the Indian fast bowler who has represented his country in international cricket since 2013, has an inspiring story of a return from a discouraging setback.

Athletes, more than any of us, depend on being in perfect physical shape to get their jobs done right. It can seem like a nightmare, then, to suffer an injury that prevents you from doing what you love.

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Shami’s knee injury had been troubling him since before the World Cup — when Shami was getting fluids removed from his knee and practicing the day before the match to make sure his performance wasn’t affected. And nobody is doubting his commitment to the game — he was India’s second-highest wicket-taker at the World Cup.

His troubles were to only get worse after that: he had surgery, which mandated two months of complete bed rest. Even when he was allowed to walk again, he had to use crutches for support. His wife was pregnant with his daughter then, so the injury affected not just his profession, but also his family life.

In sum, Shami was out of the game for nine months.

Source: Facebook

“No one should face such a time. It was really tough times. When injury happened the doctors prohibited me from getting up from bed for two months. That was the toughest time for me. I was allowed to walk only up to the bathroom.”

But he’s made his recovery, and is champing at the bit to play again — he has been selected as part of the ODI team that will be playing Australia this month.

It was only when started to bowl again did he feel like all was right with his world.

Source: Facebook

“When I finally started walking without crutches, and met the team before the tour of Bangladesh, I felt like I was alive again,” he said. “That I was connecting with the world again. I feel the period after the injury is very tough for any player, and you need great mental strength to overcome it.”

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