India speedster Mohammed Shami revealed that during his rehabilitation he used to eat only one meal a day and never had a craving for delicacies. The 34-year-old speedster who made his comeback after more than an year revealed that he only used to have dinner when he was on the road to recovery.
Shami is currently fit and featuring for Rohit Sharma-led India in Champions Trophy 2025. The speedster who was the highest wicket-taker in his last outing during ODI World Cup 2023 again flexed his form in the ongoing tournament, picking a fifer during India's opener clash against Bangladesh.
"After 2015, I only have one meal a day. I only have dinner; no breakfast, no lunch. It is very difficult to do such a thing but once you get used to it then it becomes very easy," said Shami in an interaction with cricketer-turned-commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu on Star Sports.
After iconic performance against Bangladesh, Shami become the fastest Indian bowler to take 200 ODI wickets.
He had been sidelined from international cricket for 14 months due to an ankle injury sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia, which interrupted a remarkable run where he topped the tournament's wicket-taker's chart with 24 scalps.
ALSO READ: 'India has more match-winners compared to Pakistan': Shahid Afridi explains how India holds edge over Pakistan ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 clash
The injury required surgery, and his recovery was further delayed by swelling on his left knee, keeping him out of international action for more than a year.
Shami said he gained quite a bit of weight during the recovery phase and had to shed nearly nine kgs to get back into shape.
"I have lost nine kgs (during rehabilitation). The most difficult thing is you have to challenge yourself. When you are in this condition... when I was at the NCA, it was a very difficult phase,"
"My weight was touching 90kgs. The best thing about me is that I do not crave for delicacies. I stay away from sweets. I stay away from a lot of things, things that generally one shouldn't eat. So, I stay away from them," said Shami, who will have to shoulder a lot of responsibility in India's clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in the Champions Trophy here on Sunday.
Shami, who has claimed 55 wickets across three ODI World Cups and became the eighth Indian to reach 200 wickets in one-day cricket, added that despite his strict regimen he does enjoy his biryani once in a while.
"And, as far as the biryani is concerned, so sometimes it's okay.
Shami is currently preparing alongside Team India in Dubai for their second league match against Pakistan which will take place on February 23 at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.