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Umesh Kumar, a close friend of Mohammed Shami, has opened up about the challenges the fast bowler faced during a turbulent period in his career. Despite Mohammed Shami’s stellar performance in international cricket over the past few years, including significant contributions in Test series victories and World Cups, his journey has not been without adversity.
Back in the 2017-18 period, Mohammed Shami encountered a series of off-field controversies that threatened to overshadow his on-field success. His personal life became public fodder when allegations of domestic abuse and even match-fixing were leveled against him by his estranged wife. These accusations not only brought intense media scrutiny but also led to significant repercussions, including the loss of his central contract.
However, despite these setbacks, Mohammed Shami persevered and eventually emerged stronger. His performances on the cricket field have continued to speak volumes, reaffirming his status as one of the premier fast bowlers in international cricket today. His resilience and determination in overcoming these challenges reflect the true character of a champion athlete.
Reflecting on that tumultuous phase, Umesh Kumar has shed light on how Mohammed Shami navigated through the storm of allegations and controversies. According to Umesh, during that period, his friend was battling on all fronts, deeply affected by the serious accusations, particularly those concerning match-fixing, which hit him hard emotionally.
“Shami was fighting with everything during that phase. He lived with me in my house. But when the fixing allegations with Pakistan broke, and led to a probe that night, he was shattered. He said that I can tolerate everything but not allegations of betraying my country,” Umesh Yadav said on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast ‘Unplugged’.
“It also came in the news that he wanted to do something drastic that night [end his life]. It was around 4 AM in the morning when I got up to drink water. I was on my way to the kitchen when I saw that he was standing on the balcony. It was the 19th floor we were living in. I understood what happened.
“That night of Shami’s career, I feel, was the longest. Later, one day, when we were talking, he got a message on his phone saying he got a clean chit from the committee that was investigating the matter. He was probably happier that day than he would have been if he had won a World Cup,” he added.
Shami demonstrated exceptional composure and courage in steering his career back on course. Currently, he is diligently focusing on enhancing his fitness, eagerly preparing for his highly anticipated comeback to competitive cricket.
