Star Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has revealed that Virat Kohli used to talk to his mother over the phone and when she came to Dubai for the final of the Champions Trophy earlier this year, Kohli ensured
that he met her and took her blessings, following India’s triumphant campaign.
A day after the Champions Trophy final, a picture of Kohli, Shami and the latter’s mother went viral on social media.
While Shami’s mother hasn’t been seen on many occasions cheering on her son at a venue, she was present at the Champions Trophy final, which was also his comeback tournament after a lengthy injury layoff.
“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 is why he went to her,” Shami said while speaking on Aap ki Adaalat.
When host Rajat Sharma reminded him that Kohli once called him lazy for dozing off during massages, Shami chuckled it away.
“Your body gets exhausted during a Test. I might have taken a short nap, but if that earns me the lazy tag, I do not 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 is the harm?” Shami questioned with a smile.
“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,” Shami said.
The Indian pace spearhead also recalled a lighthearted moment when Kohli grinned as he responded to a commentator’s questions in English.
“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,” Shami said.
