Indian pacer Mohammed Shami and his love for biriyani is not a secret. Former Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun played a crucial role in Shami's rise as a Test bowler. However, former India head coach Ravi Shastri's words flicked the switch when Shami went on to take a five-wicket haul in India's 63-run win over South Africa in Johannesburg in 2018. Shastri recalled when he saw Shami having a full plate of biriyani during the lunch break. South Africa had plenty wickets in hand and not many runs for India to defend but Shastri interrupting Shami's lunch led to a fifer and a famous Test win.
"It was Johannesburg. Final day. There was enough heat in that game. That match on the last day, they needed 240, just 100 runs to get. Eight wickets in hand. It was lunchtime and as I was walking past, Shami's plate. He had a massive helping of biryani there," Shastri told Sony Sports Network.
Arun recalled Shastri saying to Shami whether his hunger is satisfied already.
"Ravi walked across and asked him, "tera bhook idhar theek ho gaya kya?" (Is your stomach full after eating the biryani?)"
Shami did not eat the biriyani. Then, Shastri realised that Shami is angry and advised Arun to leave him alone. However, Shastri said that Arun has to talk to Shami, it should be about getting wickets.
"Le le plate. Nahi chahiye biryani, bhaad main gaya biryani (Take the plate.I don't want the biryani. It can go to hell)," Shastri said.
"Ravi came to me and said, 'Woh (Shami) gussa hai, usko aise he chod doh.' (He is angry. Leave him alone). 'Agar kuch baat karna hai toh bolo, thoda wicket leke mujhe batao' (If he wants to speak, tell him to go get wickets in the middle). Being angry is one thing, but to channelize that in your bowling is another thing," Arun added to the story.
Shami runs through Proteas
Before the lunch break, Shami's only wicket was in his first over when he dismissed Aiden Markram. After lunch, Shami joined forces with Jasprit Bumrah and took four wickets. He knocked over Vernon Philander, Andile Phehlukwayo and Morne Morkel. Captain Dean Elgar remained stranded on 86 not out as Shami wrapped up the proceedings with Lungi Ngidi's wicket. South Africa were bowled out for 177 and lost the Test by 63 runs.
Shami's epic reaction after the game
Shastri said that the bowling coach offered Shami biriyani after the game and the pacer had a typical reaction to it.
"Game over. He came over and Arun went and gave 'biryani le, ab jitna khaana hai, khaa le (Take the biryani, eat as much as you want). Humko hamesha gussa karao phir theek ho jaate hai (Make me angry all the time, then I become fine). Typical Shami," Shastri said.
Only Test win on tour
So far, India have won only five Tests on South Africa soil. The 63-run win in January 2018 at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, was India's only win on the tour and third on South Africa soil.