Mohammed Shami stepped up in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, ensuring that India did not feel the loss of their leading bowler during the opening match of the Champions Trophy 2025 against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Stadium. This marked Shami's first ICC tournament appearance since the ODI World Cup final in 2023, where he set a new world record by surpassing Mitchell Starc for the fastest bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets based on balls bowled. Additionally, he became the fastest Indian to achieve this milestone in terms of matches played, significantly outpacing Ajit Agarkar, the current chairman of selectors for the BCCI.

Shami reached this significant milestone by dismissing Bangladesh's Jaker Ali, who scored 68 runs, in the 43rd over of the match on Thursday. The wicket came from a cleverly disguised slower ball, which caught Jaker off guard, resulting in a simple catch for Virat Kohli at long-on.

To reach 200 wickets, Shami required 104 ODIs, while Agarkar, the former record holder for India, had taken 133 matches. Shami's achievement also placed him alongside Pakistan's Saqlain Mushtaq as the joint second-fastest bowler in terms of matches to reach 200 wickets, with Mitchell Starc holding the record at 102 ODIs.

In total, Shami bowled 5,126 balls to secure his 200th wicket, marking the fastest achievement of this kind in the history of world cricket.

Fewest balls to 200 ODI wickets

5126 Mohammed Shami

5240 Mitchell Starc

5451 Saqlain Mushtaq

5640 Brett Lee

5783 Trent Boult

5883 Waqar Younis

Fewest ODIs to 200 wickets

102 Mitchell Starc

104 Mohammed Shami/ Saqlain Mushtaq

107 Trent Boult

112 Brett Lee

117 Allan Donald

Fastest Indians to 200 ODI wickets

Mohammed Shami (104 ODIs)

Ajit Agarkar (133 ODIs)

Zaheer Khan (144 ODIs)

Javagal Srinath (147 ODIs)

Kapil Dev (166 ODIs)

Shami erases doubts with record-breaking show vs Bangladesh

Shami's fitness and his capability to spearhead India's relatively inexperienced pace attack in the Champions Trophy were subjects of speculation. However, the pacer addressed these concerns impressively. Having participated in only four matches—comprising two T20 Internationals and two One Day Internationals—between the 2023 ODI World Cup and the Champions Trophy, Shami made an impact by taking a wicket in his very first over.

After delivering four effective balls to Bangladesh opener Somya Sarkar, Shami opted to bowl slightly fuller to the left-handed batsman, who attempted an aggressive drive. The ball angled in from around the wicket, making contact with the inside edge of his bat and landing safely in Rahul's grasp.

Shami secured his second wicket of the day in his fourth over when Mehidy Hasan Miraz erred by playing away from his body with a firm grip. This time, the additional bounce led to the Bangladesh all-rounder's dismissal. The ball soared off the outside edge of Mehidy's bat, and Shubman Gill, positioned at a wider first slip, executed a sharp catch by swiftly moving to his left.

This marked Shami's 20th wicket in the powerplay during an ICC 50-overs event since 2015, placing him second only to Trent Boult's 26. Among all bowlers on that list, he boasts the best strike rate.

Shami went on to claim two more wickets, achieving yet another five-wicket haul with final figures of 5/53 in his 10 overs. He now holds a total of 60 wickets in ODI World Cups and ICC Champions Trophy events, the highest for any Indian player. The previous record was held by Zaheer Khan, who took 59 wickets in these tournaments.

In total across all ICC events, Shami has amassed 73 wickets, again the highest for any Indian player.

Read Also: Axar Patel Reveals True Feelings on Rohit's Dropped Catch: 'Thought I Had My Hat-Trick...'

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!