'There's a Group That Has Ishant, Virat And...': Shami Reveals His 'Best Friends' From Team India

Star pacer Mohammed Shami has been out of action since featuring in last year’s ODI World Cup final, which India lost to Australia by six wickets. He has been recovering from an ankle injury, which also kept him out of the reckoning for the 2024 T20 World Cup.

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He recently went under the knife and has been on the road to recovery.

As Shami spends time on the sidelines, watching his teammates play for the country, there are a few close friends from the Indian team who keep checking on him, asking about his well-being.

Speaking on a podcast with Shubhankar Mishra, the right-arm quick took the names of Ishant Sharma and Virat Kohli when asked about some close friends from the Indian cricket team.

“There is a group of close friends which has Ishant Sharma, Virat Kohli and a few former cricketers and we keep talking to each other on the phone. But it’s not like we speak regularly to each other,” Shami said.

‘Quality over quantity’

On being asked about making a limited number of friends, Shami said he focuses on the quality of the people he interacts with instead of the quantity.

“I believe in skill. It’s up to you if you want to maintain the quality or quantity. If I chose quantity, then I have to have a bus full of people around me. If I open the gates of my farmhouse, there will be a carnival every day. And If I focus on my work, I shall close that door immediately,” said Shami.

“So, I have to choose quality, especially when I’m at a stage where people are watching me and the country needs my skill. So, you have to think about it,” he added.

Shami on road to recovery

Though Shami has recovered from the ankle injury, the premier fast bowler is yet to resume bowling at full tilt.

“Vibing with the latest, grinding for the greatest. #shami #mdshami #mdshami11 #hardwork #practice,” Shami captioned his post on Instagram.

Last month, News18 CricketNext had reported that there will be more clarity on Shami’s return only when he can analyse the impact of bowling at full pelt.

“No doubt he will be back in India colours very soon. You would have seen the progress he has been making via the social media videos and the post. He is working very hard but more clarity will come when bowling resumes at full tilt and how the body reacts after that,” said a source close to the cricketer.