Ravi Shastri recalls a lunch chat that infuriated Mohammed Shami

Former India coaches Ravi Shastri and Bharat Arun revealed an unheard story about Shami.

Former India coaches Ravi Shastri and Bharat Arun recently spoke about what infuriated Mohammed Shami during a lunch chat. They revealed an unheard story about the cricketer, whose anger then fuelled one of his best performances and eventually helped lead the team to win against South Africa. India wrapped the game up in four days as Shami’s 5-wicket mastery helped India to win by 63 runs in the 2018 game.

Ravi Shastri recalls an incident with Mohammed Shami.

Speaking to Sony Sports, Shastri recalled that as he was walking past Shami, he saw his plate was full of biryani. He said, “It was Johannesburg. Final day. There was enough heat in that game. That match on the last day, they needed 240, just 100 runs to get. Eight wickets in hand. It was lunchtime, and as I was walking past Shami’s plate. He had a massive helping of biryani there.” Shastri then asked the bowler if his hunger was over after having that biryani, asking, “Tera bhook idhar theek ho gaya kya?” (Is your stomach full after eating the biryani?)” However, an angry Shami rejected the biryani plate and said he didn’t want to eat it. Bharat Arun added that Shastri advised him to leave Shami alone, saying that if he wants to talk to Shami, he should tell him to get wickets instead. Shastri said, “Le le plate. Nahi chahiye biryani, bhaad main gaya biryani (Take the plate.I don’t want the biryani. It can go to hell)”

Mohammed Shami was infuriated.

Arun added, “Ravi came to me and said, ‘Woh (Shami) gussa hai, usko aise he chod doh.’ (He is angry. Leave him alone). ‘Agar kuch baat karna hai toh bolo, thoda wicket leke mujhe batao’ (If he wants to speak, tell him to go get wickets in the middle). Being angry is one thing, but to channelize that in your bowling is another thing.” Shami then picked up 5 wickets of South Africa. Arun then finally offered Shami a plate of biryani. After his heroics, Shami smiled and said they should always make him angry.

Ravi Shastri said, “Game over. He came over and Arun went and gave ‘biryani le, ab jitna khaana hai, khaa le (Take the biryani, eat as much as you want). Humko hamesha gussa karao phir theek ho jaate hai (Makes me angry all the time, then I become fine). Typical Shami.”