'Baba ji ki jay ho! Save some wisdom for your own future too': Shami slams Manjrekar
Star Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has hit back at former cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar after the latter's remarks regarding Shami's potential drop in value at the upcoming IPL auction. Manjrekar had raised concerns about Shami’s injury history, suggesting that franchises might be hesitant to bid for him as he returns to full fitness.
In a sharp response on Instagram, Shami playfully mocked Manjrekar's predictions, writing, “Baba ji ki jay ho. Thodasa gyan apne future k liye bhi bacha lo kaam ayega Sanjay G? Kisi ko future janna ho toh sir se mile” (Glory to Baba Ji. Save a little wisdom for your own future too, it might come in handy, Sanjay G. If anyone wants to know their future, they should meet the sir).
Shami’s comment, delivered with a dose of humour, took aim at Manjrekar's predictive tone, suggesting the former commentator focus on his own future rather than speculating about the fast bowler’s IPL prospects.
Shami's stellar comeback
After his outstanding return to competitive cricket during the last round of Ranji Trophy matches, star India pacer Mohammed Shami will now spearhead Bengal’s bowling attack in the forthcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. Young batter Sudip Kr Gharami has been named Bengal's captain for the tournament, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) announced on Monday. This means, there are very few chances of Shami dashing off to Australia to be part Indian squad at least for the first couple of matches.
Shami had made a memorable return to cricket after an ankle injury and subsequent surgery following the 2023 ODI World Cup, claiming seven wickets to power Bengal to a first-innings lead against Madhya Pradesh at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Shami played a crucial role in helping India reach the final of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup in India.
After struggling to assert himself in the first innings on his return, the 34-year-old seamer, playing his first Ranji Trophy match since 2018, showed his class and experience, finishing as Bengal’s standout bowler with figures of 19-4-54-4 in the second essay. "Shami, who bagged seven wickets in the just-concluded Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh, will be a huge boost to Bengal’s chances in the T20 tournament," the CAB said in its social media post.
Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has no immediate plans to send Mohammed Shami to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting on November 22 in Perth, followed by matches in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney till January 7, 2025. Shami would have proved a big asset for the Indian bowling attack in Australia, which will be led by Jasprit Bumrah.
Shami played a pivotal role in India’s first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018/19, where he picked 16 wickets in four matches at an average of 26.18. (With inputs from Agencies)