JYNEWS, Mohammed Shami Records : Mohammed Shami has rewritten cricket history, becoming India’s highest wicket-taker in ICC limited-overs tournaments during a fiery spell against Bangladesh in the 2025 Champions Trophy. The 34-year-old speedster’s 5/53 not only powered India to victory but also eclipsed legends like Zaheer Khan and Mitchell Starc in a record-breaking rampage.
Shami’s Record-Breaking Night
What record did Shami break?
Shami surpassed Zaheer Khan’s 71 wickets to become India’s leading wicket-taker in ICC white-ball tournaments (ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy) with 73 scalps in just 33 matches.
How did he achieve this milestone?
In his Champions Trophy debut, Shami dismantled Bangladesh with 5/53, including the historic 72nd wicket to overtake Zaheer.
What other records fell?
Fastest to 200 ODI wickets (balls): 5,126 deliveries, beating Mitchell Starc’s 5,240.
Most 5-wicket hauls in ICC events: 5, surpassing Lasith Malinga and Glenn McGrath.
The Historic Match: Bangladesh vs India (Feb 20, 2025)
Shami’s masterclass in Dubai showcased why he’s India’s clutch performer:
First Over Strike: Dismissed Soumya Sarkar for a duck with a seaming delivery.
Breakthrough Spell: Removed Mehidy Hasan Miraz (14) to reduce Bangladesh to 27/2.
Partnership Breaker: Ended Jaker Ali’s 68-run knock, breaking a dangerous 154-run stand.
Death Over Dominance: Cleaned up tailenders Tanzim Hasan and Taskin Ahmed to complete his 5th ICC 5-wicket haul.
Match Figures: 10-1-53-5 | Economy: 5.30 | Dot Balls: 42%
Shami ICC Tournament Dominance
Breakdown of 73 Wickets:
| Tournament | Matches | Wickets | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| ODI World Cup | 18 | 55 | 7/57 |
| T20 World Cup | 14 | 14 | 3/15 |
| Champions Trophy | 1 | 4* | 5/53 |
*As of Feb 20, 2025
Key Performances:
2023 ODI WC: 24 wickets (highest), including 7/57 vs New Zealand in semifinal.
2025 Champions Trophy: 5/53 on debut in the tournament.
Breaking Down the Numbers: How Shami Outpaced Legends
Fastest to 200 ODI Wickets (Balls Bowled)
| Bowler | Balls | Matches | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Shami | 5,126 | 104 | 2025 |
| Mitchell Starc | 5,240 | 102 | 2019 |
| Saqlain Mushtaq | 5,451 | 104 | 2003 |
| Brett Lee | 5,640 | 112 | 2006 |
Shami’s precision (58% dot balls in 2025) and strike rate (23.9) make him deadlier than Starc’s raw pace.
India’s Top ICC Tournament Wicket-Takers
| Bowler | Wickets | Matches | Era |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Shami | 73 | 33 | 2015–2025 |
| Zaheer Khan | 71 | 44 | 2000–2013 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 68 | 43 | 2016–2025 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 65 | 62 | 2009–2025 |
Shami averages 19.2 in ICC events—Zaheer (24.5) and Bumrah (22.3) lag behind.
The Zaheer Khan Supremacy Challenge
How did Zaheer fare in ICC tournaments?
44 wickets in ODI World Cups (23 matches).
15 wickets in Champions Trophy (9 matches).
12 wickets in T20 World Cups (12 matches).
Shami’s Edge:
Strike Rate: 23.4 vs Zaheer’s 32.1.
Big-Match Impact: 5 five-fors vs Zaheer’s 2.
The Road to 200: A Speed Demon’s Journey
Shami’s 200 ODI wickets came via:
Seam Movement: 42% of wickets caught behind/bowled.
Yorkers: 17 batsmen clean bowled since 2023 WC.
Phases:
Powerplay: 68 wickets
Middle Overs: 89 wickets
Death (41–50): 43 wickets
Milestone Timeline:
2015: 50 wickets (28 matches)
2019: 100 wickets (56 matches)
2023: 150 wickets (85 matches)
2025: 200 wickets (104 matches)
What Makes Shami Unplayable?
Weapons of Choice:
Reverse Swing: 85+ mph inswingers to right-handers.
Bouncer: 92 mph short balls with 74% accuracy.
Slower Ball: 12% of deliveries, 21 wickets since 2023.
Fitness Secret:
Post-2023 ankle surgery, Shami adopted NBA-style recovery routines: cryotherapy, hydro pools, and altitude training.
Legacy: Where Does Shami Stand Among Greats?
Global ICC Tournament Rankings:
| Rank | Bowler | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan (SL) | 92 |
| 2 | Glenn McGrath (AUS) | 85 |
| 3 | Mohammed Shami (IND) | 73 |
| 4 | Wasim Akram (PAK) | 72 |
India’s Verdict:
Rohit Sharma: “Shami’s hunger is unmatched. He’s our X-factor.”
Sunil Gavaskar: “The greatest Indian fast bowler in ICC events—period.”
The Future: 300 Wickets and Beyond
With 2026 T20 World Cup and 2027 ODI WC ahead, Shami eyes:
300 ODI Wickets: Needs 97 more (current avg: 5.2 wickets/match).
ICC Trophy Double: India hasn’t won Champions Trophy since 2013.
Mentor Role: Guiding Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Yadav in nets.
Mohammed Shami Career Stats
Bowling
The Record-Breaking Moment
It was a day of triumph for Indian cricket as Mohammed Shami claimed his place at the pinnacle of ICC limited-overs history. During a gripping encounter against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy 2025, Shami’s fiery spell left the opposition reeling and the record books trembling. With his trademark precision and pace, he surpassed all previous Indian bowlers to become the country’s leading wicket-taker in ICC limited-overs tournaments, a tally that includes both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals in ICC events. As the stumps flew and the crowd roared, Shami stood tall—60 wickets in ICC tournaments, a figure that outshone every Indian before him.
But this wasn’t just another wicket. This was history. Shami also celebrated reaching 200 ODI wickets in his career, achieving this feat faster than any other Indian bowler in terms of matches played. The dual milestones—highest wickets in ICC events and fastest to 200 ODI scalps—highlighted a day of double delight for the Bengal pacer and his legion of admirers.
A Journey Forged in Fire
Shami’s rise to this pedestal is a testament to resilience. Hailing from a small village in Uttar Pradesh, he didn’t have the glamorous start of some of his peers. Cricket wasn’t handed to him on a silver platter—it was a dream he chased through dusty fields and modest facilities. His early days were marked by raw talent and an unyielding work ethic, qualities that caught the eye of local coaches and eventually propelled him into domestic cricket.
His international debut in 2013 was the beginning of a rollercoaster ride. Injuries, personal struggles, and intense competition for spots in India’s pace-heavy lineup tested his mettle. Yet, Shami emerged stronger each time, refining his craft to become a bowler who could swing the ball both ways, generate searing pace, and deliver under pressure. His ability to strike in crucial ICC matches—be it the World Cup or Champions Trophy—set the stage for this record-breaking moment.
What Makes Shami Special?
So, what’s the secret sauce behind Shami’s success? It’s a blend of skill, strategy, and sheer grit. His upright seam position allows him to extract movement off the pitch, bamboozling batsmen even on flat surfaces. His pace, often hovering around the 140 kmph mark, keeps opponents on their toes. But it’s his knack for picking wickets at pivotal moments that truly defines him. Whether it’s breaking an opening stand or cleaning up the tail, Shami has a sixth sense for turning games in India’s favor.
In ICC tournaments, where pressure is unrelenting, Shami thrives. His record of most five-wicket hauls in ICC events underscores his ability to dominate. From the 2019 World Cup, where he claimed a hat-trick against Afghanistan, to his match-winning spells in the Champions Trophy, Shami has been India’s go-to man when the stakes are high. This latest achievement cements his legacy as a big-match player.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Let’s break it down. As of February 20, 2025, Shami’s 60 wickets in ICC limited-overs tournaments eclipsed the likes of legends such as Kapil Dev, Zaheer Khan, and Javagal Srinath. His 200 ODI wickets came in fewer matches than any other Indian, showcasing his efficiency and consistency. Compare this to his contemporaries—Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar—and Shami’s strike rate in ICC events stands out. While Bumrah’s economy is tighter, Shami’s wicket-taking prowess in crunch situations gives him an edge in the record books.
His average hovers around the mid-20s in ODIs, with a strike rate that ensures he’s never too far from a breakthrough. Add to that his five-wicket hauls—more than any Indian in ICC tournaments—and you’ve got a bowler who’s not just a statistic but a phenomenon. These numbers aren’t just digits; they’re a narrative of a man who’s conquered adversity to claim his throne.
The Impact on Indian Cricket
Shami’s milestone isn’t just a personal triumph—it’s a beacon for Indian cricket. For decades, India’s bowling legacy rested on spin wizards. The 1983 World Cup win was powered by medium-pacers like Kapil Dev, but pace wasn’t the defining force. Shami’s record signals a shift. Alongside Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, he’s part of a trio that’s made India a pace-bowling juggernaut, capable of intimidating any batting lineup on any surface.
This achievement also inspires the next generation. Youngsters watching Shami dismantle batting orders in ICC tournaments see a blueprint: hard work, precision, and fearlessness can take you to the top. For a country obsessed with batting heroes like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Shami’s rise elevates the bowler’s stature, balancing the narrative.
Shami vs. the Legends
How does Shami stack up against India’s bowling greats? Kapil Dev’s 253 ODI wickets remain the gold standard for an Indian pacer, but Shami’s efficiency and ICC-specific dominance give him an edge in modern context. Zaheer Khan’s craftiness won India the 2011 World Cup, yet Shami’s consistency across formats and tournaments sets him apart. Srinath’s raw pace was a 90s marvel, but Shami’s versatility—swinging it both ways and excelling in death overs—makes him a complete package.
Globally, he’s in the conversation with the likes of Wasim Akram and Glenn McGrath for ICC tournament impact. While he may not yet match their overall tallies, his strike rate and clutch performances draw parallels. Shami isn’t just chasing records; he’s redefining what an Indian pacer can achieve.
The Road Ahead
What’s next for Mohammed Shami? The Champions Trophy 2025 is underway, and with every match, he has a chance to widen the gap at the top. Beyond that, the 2027 ODI World Cup looms large. If he maintains his form and fitness, Shami could push his ICC wicket tally into uncharted territory for an Indian. His role as a mentor to younger pacers like Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik will also shape India’s future.
The immediate focus, though, is the ongoing tournament. Bangladesh felt his wrath, but stronger teams like Australia and England await. Shami’s ability to rise to the occasion suggests more fireworks are coming. Could he add another five-wicket haul to his ICC tally? Fans are already salivating at the prospect.
A Legacy in the Making
Mohammed Shami’s record as India’s highest wicket-taker in ICC limited-overs tournaments is more than a statistic—it’s a legacy. It’s the story of a village boy who dared to dream, a bowler who turned doubters into believers, and a champion who thrives when the world watches. His 60 wickets are a milestone, but his journey is the real triumph.
For Indian cricket, he’s a symbol of evolution. For fans, he’s a hero who delivers when it matters most. And for the record books, he’s a name that won’t fade anytime soon. As the stumps keep flying and the wickets keep tumbling, Mohammed Shami isn’t just making history—he’s writing a saga that will echo through generations. So, here’s to the king of ICC wickets—long may he reign!
Q&A: Unpacking Shami’s Milestone
Q: What exactly does “highest wicket-taker in ICC limited-overs tournaments” mean for Shami?
A: It means Shami has taken more wickets than any other Indian in ICC events like the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, and Champions Trophy combined. His 60 wickets as of February 2025 put him ahead of all Indian predecessors in these high-stakes competitions.
Q: How does Shami’s 200 ODI wickets milestone compare globally?
A: Globally, he’s among the fastest to 200 ODI wickets in terms of matches played, though players like Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq and Australia’s Brett Lee reached it in fewer games. For India, though, Shami’s speed to this mark is unmatched.
Q: Why is this record significant for Indian cricket?
A: It signals India’s evolution as a pace-bowling powerhouse. Historically reliant on spinners like Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, India now boasts a lethal pace attack, with Shami leading the charge in ICC glory.
Q: Can Shami keep this form going?
A: Given his fitness focus and adaptability, there’s every chance. At 34, he’s in his prime, and with proper management, he could extend his record further.