Mohammed Shami Faces Death Threat Amid IPL Struggles
Threat Received by Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami, the pacer for Team India and Sunrisers Hyderabad, has reportedly received a death threat via email, demanding a ransom of INR 1 crore. This alarming incident follows a similar threat directed at India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, just days earlier. The threats come in the wake of a tragic shooting in Pahalgam, where terrorists attacked civilians, resulting in the deaths of 28 tourists, including 26 Indians and two foreign nationals.
Details of the Threat
According to reports, Shami's brother, Haseeb, received the threatening email around 2-3 PM on Sunday and promptly reported it to the police in Amroha. The email, allegedly from someone named 'Rajput Sindar', warned that Shami would be killed if the ransom was not paid.
Police Investigation
The Amroha police acted swiftly after registering an FIR based on Haseeb's complaint. They instructed the Cyber Cell to investigate, which successfully traced the sender's location to Bengaluru, identifying him as Prabhakar. This threat coincides with heightened tensions following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the blocking of several Pakistani celebrities' social media accounts in India.
Previous Threats and Online Abuse
This is not the first instance of Mohammed Shami facing threats and online harassment. Following India's defeat to Pakistan in the 2021 T20 World Cup, he was subjected to communal trolling. During the 2025 Champions Trophy, he was criticized for not observing Ramadan fasting, with a cleric labeling him a 'criminal' for his actions during a semifinal match.
Shami's Performance in IPL 2025
Currently, Shami is struggling in the ongoing IPL season, having taken only 6 wickets with an average of 56.16 and an economy rate of 11.23. In his last match against the Gujarat Titans, he had a particularly poor performance, conceding 48 runs without claiming a wicket in just three overs. Shami was acquired by the Hyderabad franchise for INR 10 crore during the IPL 2025 auction, but his performance has raised concerns among analysts regarding the investment's validity.
Return to International Cricket
After being sidelined last season due to an ankle injury, Shami made his return to international cricket during the England white-ball series and participated in the Champions Trophy, where he was India's second-highest wicket-taker with nine wickets. He played a crucial role in helping India secure the Champions Trophy title, defeating New Zealand in the final.
Current Standing of Sunrisers Hyderabad
Despite his past successes, Shami has been unable to replicate that form in the current IPL season. Sunrisers Hyderabad is struggling, sitting at the eighth position on the points table with only six points from three wins and seven losses. Their upcoming match against the Delhi Capitals is critical for their chances of remaining in the tournament.
Conclusion
The situation surrounding Mohammed Shami highlights the ongoing issues of threats and violence in sports, particularly in the context of rising tensions in the region.