• Shami on mental health struggles

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    Indian fast-bowler Mohammed Shami has revealed that he considered committing suicide three times a few years ago, while fighting a number of personal issues.

    Shami picked up an injury during the 2015 World Cup in Australia and despite battling through the tournament with the niggle, he was forced into a lengthy 18-month layoff from the game as a result in order to recover.

    ‘That was the most painful moment in my life, it was a very stressful period,’ said the 29-year-old.

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    ‘When I started playing again, I had to go through some personal issues. If my family did not support me, I would not have made it.’

    The strain on the right-hander’s mental health continued, though, after his wife dug him into a legal case by claiming that he was guilty of domestic violence, something he has strongly denied.

    “I was not thinking about cricket at all. We were living on the 24th floor. They were scared I might jump from the balcony. My brother supported me a lot,’ continued Shami.
    Fortunately, the paceman has been finding peace and salvation with the loyal support of his family, who has been by his side every step of the way, although he highly thought about taking his own life at a stage.

    ‘I also thought of committing suicide three times. Someone used to stay with me 24/7, I was not well mentally. My family was there for me. If your family is there then, you can get through any situation. If my family was not there then I might have taken a bad step, but I thank my family for being with me throughout,’ he said.

    Shami made his Test debut against the West Indies in 2013 and have since then become one of the most consistent bowlers in the format with his raw pace and accurate line and length.

    He also has 77 ODI caps to his name and boasts a bowling average of 25.42 in white-ball cricket.

    Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images

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    SA CRICKET