Former Team India coach Ravi Shastri has revealed a hilarious tale about Mohammed Shami's love for biryani and how the staff kept him away from him. Shastri disclosed that then bowling coach Bharat Arun gave the fast bowler plenty of biryani to eat, given he propelled India to a memorable victory over South Africa in Johannesburg.
The match dates to January 2018 during the third Test between India and South Africa in Johannesburg. Although the tourists had lost the series, they wanted to sign off the leg with a win. With the Proteas set a tricky 241 to win on day four, they crumbled to 177 all out as Shami took a fifer.
In a video published by Sony Sports Network, Shastri started by saying:
"It was Johannesburg, final day. There was enough heat in that game. It was the last match and they needed 240. 100 runs to get, 8 wickets in hand. During lunchtime as I was walking past, I saw Shami's plate. He had a massive amount of Biryani there."
Bharat Arun, who was also in the video, later said:
"Tera bhook idhar khatam ho gaya?"
Shastri revealed that he tossed the plate aside in anger and refused to have it.
The 62-year-old went on to reveal that Arun let Shami have all the biryani he wants.
"Game over. He came over. Arun went over and said, 'Le Biryani le, abhi jitna khaana hai kha le. He said, 'Humko humesha gussa karaao, phir thik ho jaata hai'. It's typical Shami." (Keep me angry all the time. Then it becomes okay).
Mohammed Shami left out of Team India's squad for England tour
Meanwhile, Shami was a notable exclusion from the upcoming five-Test series in England, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar citing fitness issues.
India squad: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.
The Asian Giants are targeting their first Test series victory on English soil since 2007.
