Former India pacer Mohammed Shami revealed that Virat Kohli nicknamed him ‘Lazy’ because he often dozed off during massages. Shami and Kohli have shared a long stint together in the Indian team across all formats for over a decade. Both were standout performers in India’s 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, with Kohli topping the run charts with 765 runs and Shami leading the wicket tally with 24 scalps.
While Kohli has since retired from Tests and T20Is, Shami has not been in contention despite being available for all formats. Speaking on Aap Ki Adalat (via TOI), Shami opened up about the origin of his ‘Lazy’ nickname given by Kohli.
“Your body gets exhausted during a Test match. I might have taken a short nap, but if that earns me the ‘lazy’ tag, I don’t mind. Fast bowling is the toughest job in the team. We run the most, we respond whenever the situation demands, and off the field, if I relax for a bit, what’s the harm? Virat can call me ‘lazy’ or ‘lala’, but I am neither fat nor selling jewellery. In the Indian team, you are bound to pick up some nickname.”
“Virat Often Spoke With My Mother Over The Phone” – Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami shared the reason behind Virat Kohli touching his mother’s feet following India’s 2025 Champions Trophy victory. The experienced pacer explained that although Kohli often spoke to his mother over the phone, he had never met her in person before.
“Virat used to talk to my mom over the phone. She had never met him in person, and when she came to watch the match after years, I told Virat she was there. That’s why he went to her,” said Shami (via the aforementioned source).
Shami also reminisced about Virat Kohli quietly laughing while he was responding to questions in English during a tour of New Zealand.
“I was trying my best to answer in English. I even joked that I had brought Virat with me during the New Zealand series because the Kiwis have such a different accent. After I finished, Virat asked why I had brought him along,” he said.
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