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The India National Cricket Team pacer Mohammed Shami has shared his views on Virat Kohli’s off-the-field work and engagements. The two shared the dressing room last during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final when the Men in Blue defeated the New Zealand National Cricket Team by 4 wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.
Since then, Virat Kohli, who now plays only the ODI format, continues to feature for the side, but Mohammed Shami has not been picked across formats for the Indian side. Shami and Virat have shared many memories, and they have been in good relations on and off the field. Kohli was the captain of Shami as they won numerous series together.
Mohammed Shami defends Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma
While speaking on Times Now Navbharat, Mohammed Shami came in support of Kohli and Anushka Sharma for their spiritual visits to Premanand Maharaj, as the latter’s wife has taken the spiritual initiation of Sanatan Dharma, as she has often been seen wearing a Holy Basil neck necklace.
"Ye acchi cheez hai. Yeh achanak nahi hai, voh bohot passionate hai aur apni cheezo ke liye particular hai aur time deta hai, system se rakhta hai. (It’s a good thing. This isn’t something that has happened suddenly. He is very passionate, is particular about what he believes in and makes time for it, with a proper system)," Shami said.
Mohammed Shami calls Virat Kohli organised person
Mohammed Shami stated that Virat Kohli is a very organised person as he keeps everything in place in his hotel rooms, showing how particular he is about everything. Shami also stated that there is no point in criticising Premanand Maharaj as he is doing his job.
"As far as Maharaj is concerned, I don’t think anyone needs to point fingers or raise objections. If you believe in something, you should give it priority too."
"Agar jodi hai aur vo karti bhi hai toh kya dikkat hai kisiko? Mujhe samajh nahi aata. (If they are a couple and even if she has done it, what problem does anyone have? I don’t understand)."
Mohammed Shami's performance under Virat Kohli
Just like Shami defended Kohli, the former India captain also backed and shielded his pacer when he was being targeted for his religion (being a Muslim) on social media after the Men in Blue lost to Pakistan in the T20 World Cup in 2021 T20 World Cup.
Mohammed Shami played in 46 Test matches under Kohli's leadership and picked 168 wickets, his 229 wickets in Test cricket. This showcases that Shami was a lethal weapon for Kohli in the SENA countries; his impressive performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the 2018-19 season was exceptional, where he took 16 wickets in 8 innings across 4 matches at a bowling average of 26.18.
When will Virat Kohli next be seen?
Kohli last played in the three-match ODI series against England, where he scored two fifties in the series, scoring 144 runs in three matches at an average of 48.00 and a strike rate of 109.09.
Next, he will be in action for the West Indies series during September-October, as the Men in Blue will host the Caribbean team for a three-match ODI series and then a five-match T20I series.
