New Delhi: Mohammed Shami, a seasoned Indian cricketer, responded to Sanjay Manjrekar's comments regarding a potential decrease in his value in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction.
Shami, who has been eagerly anticipated for his return to competitive cricket following a year-long hiatus due to an ankle injury, has demonstrated his exceptional pace once again, leading Bengal to victory with an impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy, achieving match figures of 7/57.
His recent achievements have suggested that Shami has regained his form, leading to an increase in his market value.
However, Manjrekar expressed a different perspective on Shami's value in the auction. He highlighted concerns about Shami's injury history and the possibility of a season-ending breakdown, which could result in a decrease in his value.
"There will definitely be interest from teams, but given Shami's history of injuries, especially the recent one that required a significant recovery period, there's always a risk of a season-ending breakdown. If a team invests heavily and then loses him mid-season, their options become limited. This risk might lead to a decrease in his value," Manjrekar recently stated on Star Sports.
In response, Shami took a playful jab at Manjrekar, suggesting that his insights could be more valuable in the future, and posted on Instagram, "Baba ki jai ho. Thodsa gyan apne future k lie bhi bacha lo kaam ayega Sanjay G? Kisi ko future janna ho to sir se mile (Save some knowledge for your future. It will be useful. If anyone wants to know their future, meet him).
During the 2023 season, which was marked by the cash-rich status of the league, Shami showcased his dominance by accumulating 28 wickets from 17 matches at an economy rate of 8.04. His performance in the white-ball was unparalleled throughout the season.
He concluded the season as the leading wicket-taker and was awarded the Purple Cap, surpassing Rashid Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, and other notable players.
Currently, Shami is set to continue his domestic career after being selected for Bengal's squad for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
