Mohammed Shami starred in India’s ICC Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh in Dubai, claiming three wickets to become the fastest Indian bowler to achieve 200 ODI wickets, reaching the milestone in 104 matches. His 200th wicket was Jaker Ali, who scored 68 runs. Shami surpassed Ajit Agarkar’s previous record of 133 matches and is the second quickest overall, trailing only Australia’s Mitchell Starc. After a 14-month injury layoff, Shami’s comeback has been impressive, averaging less than 25 in ODIs and becoming India’s leading wicket-taker in ICC events, with 60 in total.
Mohammed Shami shined as he dismantled the Bangladesh batting order in the Indian cricket team’s Champions Trophy opener in Dubai on Thursday. Additionally, the star pacer achieved the milestone of becoming the fastest Indian bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets during the ICC Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh in Dubai. Making his return to international cricket after a lengthy injury hiatus, Shami secured three wickets, attaining the landmark in his 104th match and surpassing the previous record held by former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar, who reached the milestone in 133 matches.
Jaker Ali, who scored 68 runs, was the batsman dismissed for Shami’s 200th wicket. Overall, the 34-year-old fast bowler ranks as the second quickest to attain 200 ODI wickets, following Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc, who required just 102 matches.
Recognized as one of India’s premier seamers, Shami maintains an impressive average of under 25 in ODIs and has claimed five five-wicket hauls and ten four-wicket hauls in his career.
Shami is the eighth Indian to achieve 200 wickets in ODI cricket.
Moreover, he holds the record for the fastest bowler (in terms of balls bowled) to reach 200 ODI wickets, having taken
5126 balls to claim 200 wickets, surpassing Australia’s Mitchell Starc, who needed 5240 balls. Shami is the first player in the world to achieve 200 ODI wickets in fewer than 5200 balls.
With 60 wickets, Shami now stands as India’s leading wicket-taker in the two major 50-over ICC events — the ODI World Cup and the Champions Trophy — closely followed by Zaheer Khan (59), Javagal Srinath (47), and Ravindra Jadeja (43).
Jaker Ali, who contributed 68 runs and formed a substantial 154-run sixth wicket partnership with Towhid Hridoy (100), was the batsman who marked Shami’s 200th wicket in the 50-over format.
Overall, the seasoned 34-year-old fast bowler ranks second in speed to the milestone, trailing only Mitchell Starc, who reached it in 102 matches.
As one of India’s top seamers, Shami holds an average of less than 25 in the ODI format and has recorded six five-wicket hauls and ten four-wicket hauls thus far.
Shami joins the exclusive club of the eighth Indian to complete 200 wickets in ODI cricket.
After being sidelined for 14 months due to an ankle injury that required surgery, Shami has made a remarkable comeback, although the journey was fraught with challenges as he worried his cricket career might be over.
Nevertheless, his unwavering commitment to representing his country propelled him through.
Shami sustained the ankle injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia, abruptly ending a remarkable streak of form that had seen him lead the wicket-taker charts in the tournament.
His recovery process was further complicated by swelling in his left knee, ultimately sidelining him from international cricket for more than a year.
With Jasprit Bumrah injured, Shami is taking charge as the leader of the Indian pace attack in the Champions Trophy.
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