'True fans will never do this': Mohammed Shami slams trolls targeting Muslim cricketers, says 'I am not a machine'

NEW DELHI: Mohammed Shami numbers have spoken volumes — 229 wickets in 64 Tests, 206 scalps in 108 ODIs, and 27 wickets in 25 T20Is. He topped the wicket charts at the 2023 ODI World Cup with 24 dismissals and was also India’s joint-highest wicket-taker at the 2025 Champions Trophy with nine wickets.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Yet, despite these accolades, Shami has often been subjected to vicious online abuse. Following India’s defeat to Pakistan in the 2021 T20 World Cup, he was branded “a traitor” and “anti-national” by sections of social media. In a candid conversation with News24, Shami opened up about the toll such trolling can take — especially when directed at Muslim cricketers.READ ALSO: 'Whose life will be better if I retire?': Mohammed Shami shuts down speculation, vows to keep playing“I pay no heed to such trolling. I have been given a job. I am not a machine. If I am working hard throughout the year, sometimes I will fail, sometimes I will succeed. It’s up to people how they want to take that,” Shami said bluntly.For Shami, playing for India transcends all other considerations. “When you play for your country, you forget all such things. For you, taking wickets and winning the match become more important. I don’t want to go on social media at such times. You see both positive and negative comments. When you’re playing, you need to stay far away from such things.”Calling trolls “keyboard warriors,” Shami urged fans to voice criticism respectfully. “We work hard to succeed. Trolls just have to type two lines. True fans will never do such things. If you think you can do better than me, please come and try. It’s always open.”Despite speculation about his future, the 34-year-old pacer dismissed retirement talks, vowing to play domestic cricket to earn his way back into the national side.