Indian pacer Mohammed Shami on balancing Ramadan routine and Champions Trophy grind

Dubai: Playing sport at the highest level tests both body and mind — even more so during Ramadan, when athletes must balance their craft with the demands of faith. For Mohammed Shami, returning from knee surgery and spearheading India’s Champions Trophy campaign in Dubai, discipline has been the common thread — both on the field and off it.

The 34-year-old pacer produced a crucial spell against Australia in the semi-final, taking his tournament tally to eight wickets — the joint-highest along with New Zealand’s Matt Henry. Shami, who is still finding his rhythm after surgery, acknowledged the challenges that come with adapting his routine during Ramadan.

“It’s obviously going to be difficult having matches during Ramadan. But it’s the matter of playing for the country and pride involved,” Shami told the media on Tuesday. “You have to manage it like a professional and your schedule is in place. So keeping that in mind, you have to take care of your diet and training and recovery. I just set a pattern and then follow it.”

Healthy lifestyle

Shami’s disciplined approach mirrors the broader emphasis on maintaining a healthy lifestyle during Ramadan — something Dubai promotes through the annual Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament. Arguably the largest sports event of its kind, the NAS Tournament encourages physical activity during Ramadan with a platform that brings together athletes from different walks of life. Launched and sponsored by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, the tournament is conducted by Dubai Sports Council under the slogan “Limitless Capabilities.”

The current 12th edition has expanded to 11 sports events with prize money totalling Dh4.5 million. Over the years, the tournament has seen participation from more than 51,000 amateurs and professionals from the UAE and abroad — reinforcing the message that sport and fitness remain essential even during Ramadan.

Despite the physical demands of fast bowling, Shami remains focused on effort rather than fitness concerns. “Trust is built when you’re selected in the team. I don’t believe in overthinking fitness. What matters is how much effort you put in and how your body responds. As far as the workload is concerned, I am a labourer,” he chuckled, highlighting his work ethic.

With India securing a hard-fought victory over Australia, they now move into the Champions Trophy final. Shami’s ability to adapt to the conditions and maintain his wicket-taking form has been a crucial factor in India’s campaign.

“There is always a load when you are the main fast bowler because you have to take wickets and then come back for crucial spells. It can be challenging, but I’ve gotten used to it. I try to make things easier for the team by putting in more than 100 per cent effort on my end,” he said.

The dry Dubai pitches don’t offer too much assistance to the pacers, but Shami’s consistency has stood out. When asked about his strategy and the captain’s expectations, he explained: “The captain always wants wickets, but as a bowler, it’s my responsibility to hit the right areas. We have enough experience in our team, and the results speak for themselves. In white-ball cricket, you don’t need to overthink early on. The real skill adjustments come after 30-35 overs, when the demands of the game change.”

Shami’s spell has been a testament to his untiring mentality for a labourer whose work is far from done.