Mohammed Shami for India. Image Credits: BCCI
Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami turned 36 today, September 3, 2026. A key figure in India’s pace attack since his debut in 2013, Shami has gone on the become one of the most impactful fast bowlers of his generation.
Over the years, Shami has built a remarkable list of achievements. He is the fastest Indian to 100, 150, and 200 ODI wickets, the second Indian with a World Cup hat-trick, and the winner of the 2023 IPL Purple Cap with 28 wickets.
Known for his impeccable seam movement and ability to strike with both the new and old ball, Shami is India’s highest wicket-taker in ICC ODI World Cups. Across three 50-over World Cups, the 36-year-old has 55 wickets to his name.
That being said, in this article, let’s wish one of India’s biggest match-winners on the grandest stage, Mohammed Shami, a happy birthday, by looking at three of his records that would be impossible to break by an Indian bowler.
It is worth noting that the records below are elusive and very tough to obtain, especially given the format redundancy of One-day Internationals.
1) Most five-wickets-in-an-innings for India in ODIs
Shami's golden arm holds the record for the most 5-wicket hauls in World Cups. Mohammed Shami has taken five wickets in an ODI innings for India six times.
Notably, behind him are Javagal Srinath and Harbhajan Singh with three each.
Shami’s six is not just the India record by a total that puts him level with players like Wasim Akram and Trent Boult at the sixth position on the all-time men’s ODI list for most five-fers in an innings.
Also read: Mohammed Shami Mocks Age Merchants With Spectacular Caught And Bowled
Apart from that, four of Shami’s six came inside the twelve months of 2023, and one of them - 7 for 57 against New Zealand in the ICC ODI World Cup semi-final.
2) Best bowling figures in an ODI World Cup semi-final
On November 15, 2023, Mohammed Shami registered his name in the record books by picking seven wickets against New Zealand in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The Indian pacer recorded bowling figures of 9.5-0-57-7 to help India bundle out New Zealand for 327, leading India to a 70-run victory and a spot in the final.
Shami’s 7/57 are the best bowling figures recorded in an ODI World Cup semi-final. This performance also stands as the best-ever bowling figures by an Indian in any ODI World Cup match, surpassing Ashish Nehra’s 6/23 against England in the 2003 edition.
3) Fastest to take 50 wickets in ODI World Cup
Having represented India in 3 ODI World Cups to date, starting with the 2015 edition, Mohammed Shami is the fastest to reach the tally of 50 wickets in the coveted tournaments. It took Shami only 17 matches to reach the mark, pipping Mitchell Starc’s record of dismissing 50 batters in 19 matches.
Mohammed Shami reached the milestone during the most magical night of his career during the semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2023 between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium.
Also read: When Was The Last Time Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma Scored A Century In South Africa?
