In a recent YouTube interview with Shubhankar Mishra, Shami dismissed the rumours and criticized those spreading false information.
“Ajeeb hi hai. Aur hai kya usme. Jabardasti ki khabar hai. Kuch nahi photo kholo to apna hi photo dikhta hai usme. Kya karenge aap. But mai ek hi cheez bolna chahunga kisi ko nahi khichna chaiye aisa. Mai maanta hun aapke mazaak ke liye memes honge wo lekin kisi ki life se related hote hain. [It’s quite strange. And what’s more, it’s all fabricated news. When you open the photo, it’s just your own photo that shows up. What can we do now? But I want to say that no one should drag others down like this. I understand there are memes made for humor, but they relate to someone’s life],” Shami said.
“Aap Ko bade soch samajh ke wo memes banane chahiye. Dusre ki taang khichna ya dusre ko gaddhe mein dhakelna bada aasaan hai. Thoda success banke dikha. Thoda success achieve karke dikha. Thoda apne level ko upar karke dikhao. Thoda apni family ka saath pakad ke dikhao. Jitna uss badtameezi mein samajh mein aa raha hai na aapko ya taang khichne mein, utna kisi ki help karke dikhao na. Tab mai maanunga aap ache insaan ho. [You should create those memes responsibly. It’s easy to pull someone’s leg or push them into a pit. Show some success. Achieve something yourself. Elevate your own level a bit. Support your family. If you understand the rudeness of putting others down, then try helping someone instead. Only then will I believe you are a good person],” he added.
Regarding the recent retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from T20I cricket, Shami expressed his surprise and acknowledged the challenge of filling their shoes.
After India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they defeated South Africa by seven runs at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Kohli was named Player of the Match for his 76 off 59 balls and announced it was his final T20I. Kohli ended his T20I career as India’s second-highest run-scorer with 4,188 runs in 125 matches at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04.
Shortly after, Rohit Sharma also announced his retirement from T20Is, finishing as the format’s highest run-scorer with 4,231 runs in 159 matches and holding the record for the most centuries in men’s T20Is.
“The retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from T20Is was a shock. They have been stalwarts for India, delivering outstanding performances and earning their titles as kings of white-ball cricket. Their simultaneous retirement is surprising, but it’s part of the natural cycle—when one player leaves, another steps in. Replacing such stars will be a significant challenge,” Shami said.
“Bidding farewell to a career after achieving your goals is an emotional moment. I would like to thank both Rohit and Virat for their contributions to the team, their incredible innings, and the records they set,” he added.
