NEW DELHI: India's premier fast bowler Mohammed Shami has revealed the unique fitness regime that has helped him maintain peak performance — consuming just one meal a day. The 34-year-old pacer, who has been instrumental in India's Champions Trophy campaign, shared that he abstains from breakfast and lunch, relying solely on dinner to fuel his body.
"After 2015, I only have one meal a day. I only have dinner; no breakfast, no lunch. It is very difficult to do such a thing, but once you get used to it, then it becomes very easy," Shami said during a conversation with Navjot Singh Sidhu on Star Sports.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Shami's disciplined approach to diet and fitness has played a crucial role in his recent success. He was the standout bowler in India's Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh, claiming five wickets in Dubai and becoming the fastest Indian to reach 200 ODI wickets.
His remarkable comeback follows a 14-month injury layoff after suffering an ankle injury in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia. Post-surgery, his return was further delayed due to swelling in his left knee, leading to an extended absence from international cricket. During his rehabilitation, Shami experienced significant weight gain, which he had to work hard to shed.
"I have lost nine kgs (during rehabilitation). The most difficult thing is you have to challenge yourself. When you are in this condition... when I was at the NCA, it was a very difficult phase," Shami revealed.
"My weight was touching 90kgs. The best thing about me is that I do not crave for delicacies. I stay away from sweets. I stay away from a lot of things, things that generally one shouldn't eat. So, I stay away from them," he added.
Despite his strict diet and fitness regimen, Shami admits that he allows himself an occasional indulgence.
"And, as far as the biryani is concerned, sometimes it's okay," he quipped.
Shami will be a key player in India's highly anticipated Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan on Sunday. His fitness and form will be crucial as India aims to continue their winning momentum in the tournament.
Stay updated with the latest
sports news and find out
how to watch the ICC Champions Trophy live in
Canada and the
USA. Don’t miss the highly anticipated
India vs Pakistan and
India vs New Zealand clashes. Check the
live cricket scores here.
The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
Read MoreThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide.
From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more.
The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics.
We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects.
We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.
Read Less