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XtraTime Web Desk: Team India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Shami’s career took a huge turnaround in the last couple of years. The fast bowler from Amroha had to pass through the darkest phase of his life, so much so that he even wanted to commit suicide thrice. But with a sheer mental strength and hard work, he has emerged stronger and fitter. For India to do well in the series coming up against Australia later this year, both Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bunrah need to be in their peak. Since his comeback from injury, Shami has bagged 133 wickets in 37 Tests at an average of 24.25, making him an indispensable member of Virat Kohli’s team in the longer format. Shami’s performances in the shorter format were also noteworthy.

It was not easy for the 29 year old fast bowler as he was grappled with serious injury, rehabilitation and personal issues post the 2015 World Cup. He had to miss 18 months due to a knee surgery which he suffered while playing in the marquee event. As he was eyeing a comeback he suffered another roadblock in his career, first with personal life problems and next when he met with a car accident.

Hailing from a remote Sahaspur village in Amroha district in Uttar Pradesh, Shami was one of the five children in the family. His father, a fast bowler himself aspired to see his children take up fast bowling. Spotting the talent of a young Shami, he took him to reputed coach Badruddin Siddique in Moradabad.

Shami worked really hard on his bowling under Badruddin and was ready for U19 selections in the Uttar Pradesh team. But an alleged politically-corrupt selection saw a young Shami failing to make the cut. After being snubbed, Badruddin suggested Shami to try his luck in Kolkata. He first joined Dalhousie Athletic Club and was soon spotted by Debabrata Das of Town Club. A string of good performances in CAB first division league caught the eyes of the Bengal selectors, who decided to include him for the Bengal Ranji Trophy team against Assam in November 2010. Shami kept doing well at the domestic level and as a result got selected for the West Indies A tour in 2012, where he impressed with his pace and lateral movement on relatively flat surfaces with little or no assistance for fast bowlers. His impressive test debut against West Indies at Eden Gardens announced his arrival at the international scene. He picked 10 wickets in the match and followed it up with another 11 wicket haul at Indore. Shami has so far picked 180 wickets from 49 tests at an average of 27.46. In his 77 ODIs he has got 144 wickets at an average of 25.42.

Shami’s ability to move the new ball off the deck and also reverse swing the old ball in the air makes him more dangerous now. With a plethora of overseas tours on the horizon, a fitter and stronger Mohammed Shami is all set to set the stage on fire and propel himself into the league of the greats of fast bowling.