NEW DELHI: Indian pacer Mohammed Shami on Thursday took to Instagram to humorously respond to former cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar’s remarks about his potential drop in value at the upcoming IPL auction.
Manjrekar had suggested that Shami’s injury history could make franchises cautious, even as the bowler gears up for his return to full fitness.
In response, Shami quipped on Instagram, “Baba ji ki jay ho. Thodasa gyan apne future k liye bhi bacha lo kaam ayega Sanjay G? Kisi ko future janna ho toh sir se mile (“Glory to Baba Ji. Save a little wisdom for your own future too, it might come in handy, Sanjay G. If anyone wants to know their future, they should meet the sir),” playfully mocking the predictive tone of Manjrekar’s comments.
Manjrekar’s statement stemmed from concerns about Shami’s recent struggles with injuries, including a significant knee issue that sidelined him for nearly a year.
While Shami recently returned to domestic cricket, his fitness remains under scrutiny.
During a discussion on Star Sports, Manjrekar remarked, “There will definitely be interest from teams, but given Shami’s injury history—and this recent one took a significant amount of time to recover—there’s always a concern about a potential breakdown during the season.”
“If a franchise invests heavily and then loses him mid-season, their options become limited. This concern might lead to a drop in his price tag,” he added.
Despite the doubts, Shami’s recent performances in domestic cricket have shown promising signs.
Mohammed Shami returns to competitive cricket as India get boost ahead of BGT
Representing Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, he took seven wickets and contributed 36 runs, reminding everyone of his all-round abilities.
As he prepares for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Shami aims to regain match fitness ahead of the IPL and international assignments, including the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia and ICC Champions Trophy.
Shami’s track record in international cricket speaks volumes, especially his stellar form during the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he was the leading wicket-taker with 24 scalps in seven matches.
However, his injury kept him out of India’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign in the Caribbean.
For the IPL auction, Shami has listed himself at a base price of ₹2 crore in the marquee category. While his fitness may raise questions, his recent domestic performances and undeniable skill make him a strong contender for a hefty bid.
