Weighed 95 kg after injury in 2015, felt retirement talks were right: Shami

New Delhi, Oct 3 : India’s pace spearhead Mohammad Shami has opened up about the knee injury he suffered in 2015 and the speculation thereafter that his career was coming to an abrupt end.
Earlier this year, Shami had revealed that he had played in the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand with a fractured knee. He was the second highest wicket-taker for India (17 wickets from 7 matches) behind Umesh Yadav (18 wickets) and the fourth-highest overall in the tournament.
“In 2015 and even back in 2018 when I faced an injury, the media said that my career would be over. The media reported that even if I come back, I won’t be the same Shami, and I agree that I am not the same that I was a few years back,” said the Indian pacer while speaking on Amstrad InsideSport Face 2 Face cricket series.
“And that’s the only correct thing that they have said. This comment motivated me a lot to do better in the game for which I am known,” he added.
The right-arm pacer, who is currently playing for Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL), also emphasised on the importance of mental strength.
“Everyone faces some problem or the other in their lives. To set a goal and to achieve it, you need to plan a chart and work accordingly. I believe that everyone has to face a difficult phase in life to refocus and work in the right direction,” he said.