India pacer Mohammad Shami recalled the mental struggle of facing talks that his career may have come to an abrupt end after suffering a knee injury back in 2015.
The 30-year-old speedster had earlier revealed that he played the World Cup that year in Australia and New Zealand despite a fractured knee.
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Shami pushed himself in pain and ended as the second-highest Indian wicket-taker, fifth overall, in a tournament dominated by batsmen on flat pitches. However, after the competition, he couldn't play for India until July 2016, reflective of how severe the injury actually was.
"In 2015 and even back in 2018 when I faced an injury, the media said that my career would be over. The media reported that even if I come back, I won't be the same Shami, and I agree that I am not the same that I was a few years back," Shami was quoted as saying by IANS.
"And that's the only correct thing that they have said. This comment motivated me a lot to do better in the game for which I am known," he added.
The recovery and brilliant performances thereafter not only shows Shami's passion and determination, but also a lot of his mental fortitude.
"Everyone faces some problem or the other in their lives. To set a goal and to achieve it, you need to plan a chart and work accordingly. I believe that everyone has to face a difficult phase in life to refocus and work in the right direction."
"I remember after my injury, I weighed almost 95 kg and I felt that what people are saying is true and I can't do anything about it. But then I had a ball next to me throughout the 60 days of my bed rest. You don't have to forget things in life and you have to learn and adapt to the situation and you can't lie to yourself, especially with regard to your profession."
Shami is currently in UAE for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 where he has been Kings XI Punjab's (KXIP) most impressive paceman on show so far, taking eight wickets in four games.
The stand out feature about Shami post the lockdown has been how fit he is looking. It must be said the time spent focusing on training during those days has paid real dividends for the bowler.
"When the lockdown started, I took 20-25 days off, but I pushed myself to utilise all the things I had which were needed for practice. Even though it gets a bit boring to practice alone, but luckily I had my friend and my brother for the practice. The training during the lockdown and a month of practice in the UAE helped me keep the momentum," said Shami.
"Obviously, it takes time for any person to get back on the routine. It gets difficult for even office workers, so imagine how difficult it must be for a sportsperson to step out from the leisure of their homes."
"The most difficult thing for a sportsperson is to maintain his weight and fitness levels which becomes very crucial. I am very happy that I have been able to utilise what I got from cricket to keep myself in good shape," he added.
