Sports · Cricket · 13 hrs ago
Kolkata’s Maidan clubs helped shape Mohammed Shami’s cricket career
Mohammed Shami grew up in a farming village in Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha district and became one of India’s leading fast bowlers.
His father sent him to train with coach Badruddin Siddique in Moradabad, but Shami missed Uttar Pradesh age-group teams for three years.
A Kolkata club asked Siddique for a fast bowler, and the coach recommended Shami, then 16.
In Kolkata, he played for Dalhousie Athletic Club on the Maidan circuit before Town Club official Debabrata Das signed him for a season and gave him a place to stay.
Bengal selector Sambaran Banerjee noticed Shami in a local match and pushed for him to join Bengal’s squad.
Shami took three wickets on his Ranji Trophy debut in 2010, and former Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary also recalled the influence of Kolkata Knight Riders bowling coach Wasim Akram on his game.
Mohammed Shami’s move from Uttar Pradesh to Kolkata gave him opportunities to develop through the city’s Maidan club circuit.
He played for Dalhousie Athletic Club before Town Club official Debabrata Das signed him and accommodated him at his home.
Bengal chief selector Sambaran Banerjee spotted Shami in a match against Eastern Railway and pushed for his inclusion in the Bengal squad.
Shami took three wickets on his Ranji Trophy debut against Assam at Eden Gardens in 2010.
Former Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary recalled that Wasim Akram worked with Shami at Kolkata Knight Riders.
- Who
- Mohammed Shami, an Indian fast bowler from Uttar Pradesh.
- What
- Kolkata clubs gave him opportunities to play and develop before he joined Bengal’s senior side.
- When
- He moved to Kolkata at age 16; he made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2010.
- Where
- Kolkata, including the Maidan circuit and Eden Gardens.
- Why
- A Kolkata club sought a fast bowler, and Shami’s coach recommended him.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Shami boarded the Punjab Mail for Kolkata after a club sought a fast bowler and his coach recommended him.
Banerjee watched Shami take six wickets against Eastern Railway and pushed for him to join the Bengal squad.
Shami took three wickets on his Ranji Trophy debut against Assam at Eden Gardens.
- Hometown
- Sahaspur, Alinagar, in Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha district
- First Kolkata club
- Dalhousie Athletic Club
- Match fee
- Rs 500 per match
- Town Club contract
- Rs 70,000 a season
- Ranji Trophy debut
- 2010, against Assam at Eden Gardens
What people are saying
I watched him from beside the sightscreen. He took four wickets bowling with the wind. I asked the captain to bring him on against the wind and he took two more. I knew immediately this boy could spearhead India’s attack one day
His seam position and release point were exceptional. That very evening I pushed for his inclusion in the Bengal squad.
He was a lambi race ka ghoda
Shami wasn’t a regular in the XI initially, but I saw how Akram worked on his game