Mohammed Shami took five wickets as India clinched victory in the Johannesburg Test against South Africa. Former Indian coaches Ravi Shastri and Bharat Arun recently shared a behind-the-scenes story about Shami, revealing how his intense anger fueled one of his best performances against the South African team in Johannesburg.
In India’s 2018 Test series in South Africa, Shami played a pivotal role in the final match, helping India secure a 63-run win within just four days. Although India had lost the first two Tests, they bounced back strongly, with Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul playing a key part.
On the fourth day, South Africa looked set to win, needing 223 runs with eight wickets in hand. By lunchtime, the target had dropped to 171 runs with seven wickets remaining, giving the hosts a better chance.
As Shastri walked by during the lunch break, he noticed Shami’s plate loaded with biryani. He recalled, “It was Johannesburg, final day. The game was heated. South Africa needed 240 runs with eight wickets left. At lunch, I saw Shami’s plate — he had a huge serving of biryani.”
Arun then explained how Shastri teased Mohammed Shami about his appetite. “Ravi walked over and asked him, ‘Tera bhook idhar theek ho gaya kya?’ (Is your hunger satisfied after eating the biryani?). Mohammed Shami, clearly furious, rejected the food completely. Shastri told me to leave him alone and focus on the wickets. ‘Le le plate. Nahi chahiye biryani, bhaad mein gaya biryani,’ (Take the plate. I don’t want the biryani. Let it go to hell),” Shastri added.
Mohammed Shami dismantles South Africa’s batting lineup, taking 5/28 to seal victory for India.
Fuelled by his anger, Shami tore through the Proteas’ tail, swiftly dismissing their last seven batsmen. His brilliant spell triggered a dramatic collapse, with South Africa tumbling from 131 for 3 to 177 all out in no time.
After India’s win, Arun playfully offered Shami the same plate of biryani, to which the bowler smiled and said, “Humko hamesha gussa karao phir theek ho jaate hai” (Keep making me angry, and I get better). “Typical Shami,” Shastri remarked.
“𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘬𝘰 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘩𝘢 𝘨𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘰… 𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘩𝘰 𝘫𝘢𝘢𝘵𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘪!” 🤭
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) June 17, 2025
Ravi Shastri & Bharat Arun drop a gem on Mohammed Shami, form, and… BIRYANI. 👀
Watch 'Bharat Chale Chalo, Kahani 21-22 ki' only on Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV.… pic.twitter.com/1RpouJhKlg
