IND vs BAN: Mohammed Shami opens up about his flying kiss after taking a 5-wicket haul in Champions Trophy 2025
In a second that transcended sport, Mohammed Shami’s electrifying five-wicket haul towards Bangladesh within the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was not only a show of cricketing mastery—it was a heartfelt ode to his late father. After dismissing Taskin Ahmed in Dubai on February 20, Shami’s celebratory “flying kiss” towards the heavens captured the hearts of hundreds of thousands. The gesture, steeped in private loss and legacy, grew to become the defining picture of India’s six-wicket victory, as Shami revealed post-match that the tribute was for his beloved one.
The rationale behind Mohammed Shami’s flying kiss
Shami revealed post-match that the tribute was for his father, Tousif Ali, a farmer from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh. He had been Shami’s unwavering assist system till his sudden demise as a result of a cardiac arrest in January 2017. The pacer’s journey from battling private grief to changing into India’s tempo spearhead is a testomony to his resilience.
“That flying kiss was for my father… he’s my function mannequin, Each time I step onto the sphere, I carry his blessings with me,” Shami confessed in a poignant post-match press convention, underscoring how his father’s values of perseverance proceed to gasoline his craft.
Shami’s symphony in rythm choosing up a five-wicket haul
Returning to ICC occasions after India’s heartbreak within the 2023 ODI World Cup last, Shami unleashed a classic efficiency. His figures of 5 for 53 dismantled Bangladesh’s batting spine. The spell started with the dismissals of Soumya Sarkar (caught behind) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (trapped lbw), exploiting swing and seam motion. Later, he returned to wash up the tail, eradicating Jaker Ali, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and Taskin Ahmed. Every wicket showcased Shami’s deadly mixture of precision, reverse swing, and tactical acumen, reaffirming his standing as India’s go-to bowler in crunch moments.
Additionally READ: Followers erupt as Shubman Gill’s blazing ton propels India to essential win over Bangladesh in Champions Trophy 2025
The celebration heard around the globe
When Shami appeared skyward and blew a kiss after Taskin’s dismissal, the Dubai crowd erupted—however few knew the depth of that second. The celebration, usually reserved for family members, was a silent dialog together with his father. “I needed him to know this was for him,” Shami shared. The act resonated globally, symbolizing how athletes usually channel private grief into skilled excellence.
India’s commanding chase: Shubman Gill seals the deal
Shami’s heroics restricted Bangladesh to 228, however India’s chase was no much less scientific. Captain Rohit Sharma set the tone with a fiery 41 off 36 balls, whereas Shubman Gill anchored the innings with an unbeaten 101. His 87-run partnership with KL Rahul (34*) extinguished any hope for Bangladesh, as India cruised to victory with 21 balls to spare. Gill’s century, marked by elegant drives and calculated aggression, underscored his rising stature as India’s batting linchpin.
With momentum on their facet, India now brace for a high-octane conflict towards Pakistan on February 23 in Dubai. The Males in Blue, second in Group A (NRR +0.408), face a Pakistan facet led by Mohammad Rizwan, recent off their very own opening win. Historical past, satisfaction, and semifinal stakes will collide in what guarantees to be a blockbuster. Shami’s kind, coupled with India’s balanced assault, might show pivotal on this storied rivalry.
