Mohammed Shami started his international career under MS Dhoni, but many of his finest performances came when Virat Kohli was India’s captain. Shami and Kohli share a strong bond, both on and off the field, and have played key roles in India’s big victories.
Recently, Shami said he doesn’t really know how he got his nickname “Lala.” The Bengal fast bowler believes it might have been Kohli who came up with it, though he still doesn’t fully understand why he was given that name.
“I don’t even know when it became permanent. Maybe Virat gave it to me—he does things like that. I once wondered why I was called Lala, even though Shahid Afridi had the same name. I’m not overweight, and I don’t do jewelry work like some others with that name. But in a team, you get nicknames, and if you argue about them, it only annoys people more. So I just accepted it,” he said in an interview with News 24.
Mohammed Shami Reveals Which Batsman Could Have Given Him the Most Trouble
“No batsman has ever been someone I feared so much that I dream about them or feel extra pressure before a match. It depends on who is in form. Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are outstanding players and have achieved legendary status in Indian cricket,” he said.
Shami said that bowling to Cheteshwar Pujara would have been very challenging. The Amroha-born fast bowler felt lucky to have played alongside the recently retired Pujara in Test cricket.
Shami was not selected for India’s tour of England, reportedly due to fitness concerns. He also missed out on India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. Now, Shami aims to perform well for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy and show the selectors his skills.
FAQ
What did Mohammed Shami say about Virat Kohli?
Shami commented that Virat Kohli “only does such things,” referring to his unique habits and actions in cricket and the team.
Where did Shami make this remark?
He shared this in an interview with News 24.
Did Shami explain the context of the statement?
Yes, he was talking about how nicknames and funny incidents happen in the team, mentioning that Kohli sometimes starts them.
What nickname did Shami mention in the interview?
Shami talked about his own nickname, “Lala,” and how he got it in the team.
